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All Nova Scotia public sector workers and any school children who travel outside the country will now be required to self-isolate for 14 days when they return home, provincial leaders said on Friday.

Premier Stephen McNeil, Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s chief medical officer of health, Health Minister Randy Delorey, and Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed, deputy chief medical officer of health, held a news conference in Halifax to provide an update on COVID-19 pandemic protocols and preparations.

“Nova Scotia’s been fortunate not to have any cases of COVID-19 in the province to date, however, the reality is that we expect to see a case any time,” McNeil told reporters. “We all need to do our part to reduce the spread and keep Nova Scotians healthy and safe.”

Strang said there have been 226 tests conducted as of Thursday morning. All were negative. But he stressed the importance of taking these measures now, as the virus continues to spread elsewhere.

“If we wait til it’s here, it’s too late,” Strang said. “There is no vaccine for this virus. There is no direct treatment and a specific antiviral. We are reliant on our public health measures to minimize the impact of COVID-19, to slow down the spread and protect our health care system and protect those who are susceptible to severe disease from this.”

Health officials are also recommending that any social gathering, venue or group limit the number of people taking part to no more than 150.

“We understand that this decision will impact travel plans and productivity, but we believe it is necessary to continue to minimize the risk of the spread of COVID-19 here in Nova Scotia,” McNeil said.

McNeil hopes private sector employers and workers will follow the same protocols voluntarily.

The premier said the number of public employees affected by the directive is changing as some alter their plans but it could be as high as 4,000.

Nova Scotia schools will not be closed after March break, McNeil said, adding that there would be no guarantee that children would use that time to self-isolate, anyway, and it is important that the students’ education continue.

He said it’s important for all Nova Scotians to look out for one another.

“It is irresponsible for any of us if we’ve gone to a place where this virus has been and come home and not isolate ourselves to protect our fellow citizens,” McNeil said.

“This virus is coming. How are we going to slow down the spread so we can deal with it appropriately. This is what this is about. It’s what Dr. Strang has been saying for weeks. … And we expect citizens whether you’re in the public sector or private sector, to follow these protocols.”

If anyone who has traveled outside the country develops a fever of 38 C or more and/or a new cough, they should call 811, which will ask them further questions and advise them to come to a COVID-19 testing centre if warranted

The 811 system has faced tremendous pressure and authorities have added more lines to help handle the volume as well as a self-assessment tool at the 811 website. A lot of those calls have been just to ask for information, however, and people are advised to reference the province's website, the health department website or the federal government’s information line at 1-833-784-4397.

Strang said the best measures to prevent the spread of the virus remains frequent hand washing, avoiding touching your face, cleaning surfaces that are touched often, staying home if you’re sick, and social-distancing.

“We know that if there is good adherence to those measures in community, we can decrease the transmission of this virus between 30 to 50 per cent,” Strang said. “That means way less Nova Scotians being affected. It means less people needing health care. It’s especially important that we pay attention to those who are most vulnerable (and) at highest risk for severe disease and those are our elderly, people over 65, especially people in long-term care facilities, also people with chronic conditions and people who are immune-supressed.”

Strang said as the situation evolves, measures that are recommendations right now could become orders for the private sector in the future through the Health Protection Act should it become necessary.