N.S. aligns border rules with Ottawa for international travel

Nova Scotia has moved its border regulations for international travel in line with Ottawa's regulations.

Federal requirements for international travellerswere announced earlier this month.

Fully vaccinated travellers who are approved for entry will not have to quarantine or stay at a government-authorized hotel.

"It makes sense to align our border policy with the federal government's for international travel," Premier Iain Rankin said in a release.

"The federal rules are the same as Nova Scotia's for fully vaccinated travellers and more stringent for others. This is another positive step in our province's cautious reopening strategy."

it only applies to: "Canadian citizens, permanent residents, those registered under the Indian Act and some foreign nationals already allowed to enter Canada, including international students."The provincial border opened to Canadian travellers on June 30, with varying self-isolation requirements based on vaccination status.

All international travellers will need to complete the Nova Scotia's safe check-in form. Canadian citizens, permanent residents, those registered under the Indian Act and some foreign nationals already allowed to enter Canada, including international students, can enter.

2 new cases on Friday

Nova Scotia is reporting twonew cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the total number of active cases to 47.

One new case is in the central health zone and is under investigation, according to a news release from the Department of Health and Wellness.

The other new case is in the eastern zone and is a close contact of a previously reported case.

"I'm pleased to see that we have another day with low case numbers,"Rankin said in the release. "Nova Scotians have worked so hard to get us where we are today. While the case numbers are promising, please don't become complacent. Follow the public health measures, get tested and get vaccinated if you haven't already."

Three people are in hospital related to the virus, nonein intensive care.

Nova Scotia Health labs completed 2,936 tests on July 1.

As of July 1,961,653 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered across the province. Of those,253,331 are second doses.

The province is on track to reach a million doses administered on Monday.

Outreach vaccine clinics

To help make vaccine clinics more accessible to residents, outreach clinicswill be available next week in parts of the western health zone:

• Northeast Kings Education Centre, 1816 Bains Rd.,Canningon July 6.
• New Germany Rural High School, 44 School St.,New Germany on July 7.
• Hillcrest Academy, 127 King St.,Shelburneon July 8 and 9.

Appointment bookings for those locations are now open.

Atlantic Canada case numbers

• New Brunswickreported four new cases Friday, and has 25 active cases
• Newfoundland and Labradorreported one new caseFriday. It has fouractive cases.
• P.E.I.reported one new case Tuesday. It was thefirst new case since June 3.