COVID-19: Production in Nova Scotia

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April 13, 2022 — The Province of Nova Scotia has lifted the state of emergency and COVID-19 restrictions, including gathering limits, social distancing and mask-wearing. Some restrictions may remain in high-risk settings like healthcare and public schools — please click HERE for provincial restrictions and guidance.

On April 7, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health confirmed the province is in its sixth wave of COVID-19. Positive cases are at an all-time high in Nova Scotia. While not mandated by the province, Screen Nova Scotia recommends that individual productions and businesses in the film and television sector maintain ongoing health and safety practices to protect against the spread of COVID-19 during this busy production season. This could include regular testing, ensuring all workers are vaccinated, providing PPE, etc.

Screen Nova Scotia will remain in contact with local unions and guilds as best practices are determined and recommended. Please see our “COVID-19 Related Health & Safety Guidelines for the Screen Industry” below, which remain available to producers/productions looking to create reliable health and safety plans.

As always, Screen Nova Scotia is here to support your production. If you have any questions or concerns after reading this page, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly.


HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDELINES 

Health & Safety Guidelines: The health and safety of all individuals working in the screen industry is a top concern during COVID-19. Screen Nova Scotia’s “COVID-19 Related Health & Safety Guidelines for the Screen Industry” are intended to provide guidance to productions as they navigate COVID-19 specific risk exposure during the production of film and television in Nova Scotia.

These COVID-19 related guidelines were developed in March 2020 to incorporate expert advice, allow for alignment with provincial and federal public health and safety protocols, and promote the safe return to work in our industry. The guidelines were approved by the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Strang, as well as the Dept of Labour and Advanced Education. Please note: the guidelines were last updated in October 2021. 

Click HERE to view and download Screen Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 Related Health & Safety Guidelines for the Screen Industry.

Department Specific Appendices: Screen Nova Scotia’s Health and Safety Committee created this set of suggested practices for specific departments as appendices. These supplemental guidelines act as a complement to the COVID-19 Related Health & Safety Guidelines for the Screen Industry and will aid productions in developing their own set of show-specific customized protocols.

The appendices are intended as basic guidelines for those departments that are most impacted by COVID-19 procedures. They are intended to help producers, cast, and crew navigate working conditions during the pandemic. Click HERE to view and download the Departmental Appendices to Screen Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 Related Health & Safety Guidelines for the Screen Industry.


TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Who can come to Canada: Canadian citizens and all other foreign nationals who qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption can enter Canada for discretionary (non-essential) travel. More info HERE. Starting April 1st, 2022, pre-entry tests will no longer be required for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada by land, air or water. Until then, follow the pre-entry test requirements HERE. 

Travel into Nova Scotia: As of February 2022, all border restrictions for domestic travellers entering Nova Scotia have been lifted; there are no isolation requirements or Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form. International travellers will continue to follow federal rules.

Vaccination Policy: As we are now in the third and final phase of Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 reopening plan (HERE), proof of vaccination for discretionary activities is no longer required. More info HERE.