COVID-19 Resources

Travelling to Nova Scotia

Border restrictions are lifted for domestic travellers. If you travel from another Canadian province or territory, you can enter Nova Scotia and don’t need to complete the Safe Check-in Form or self-isolate when you arrive in or return to Nova Scotia.

International travellers entering Canada must follow Government of Canada rules set out by the emergency orders under the Quarantine Act, including testing and quarantine requirements. Everyone entering Canada must use ArriveCANto provide mandatory travel information before and after your entry into Canada.

As of October 30, 2021, people age 12 or older will need to be fully vaccinated in order to board:

• domestic or international flights departing from airports in Canada
• VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains
• non-essential passenger vessels, such as cruise ships, on voyages of 24 hours or more departing from ports in Canada, once voyages resume

Learn more: entering Canada by air and entering Canada by land.

The most up-to-date travel information can be found directly via the following links:

• COVID-19 testing requirements for entering Canada
• Halifax International Airport
• Canada Border Services Agency
• Cruise Line International Association
• VIA Rail Canada

Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program

This is one of two proposed programs (announced on October 21, 2021) that would continue to provide support to businesses until May 2022 for organizations that have been hardest hit during the pandemic. The program would provide support through the wage and rent subsidy programs, to hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, and restaurants, with a subsidy rate of up to 75 per cent.

Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program

The federal government will continue to support Canadian workers and businesses where provincial and territorial public health restrictions, including capacity restrictions, remain in place.

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Atlantic Association of Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) are distributing the RRRF in Atlantic Canada. If you’re in need of pressing assistance, please contact the regional development agencies (RDAs) for assistance with federal funding and services.

Federal Support for Businesses

The Government of Canada has announced several support options for Canadian businesses impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. You can access more information and a list of available programs for individuals and businesses on the government’s website.

Provincial support for businesses

The province announced several support options for local businesses. You can access more details on the Province of Nova Scotia’s website.

Pandemic Guidance for Businesses

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has a series of Tip Sheets with pandemic guidance for a variety of businesses including retail, restaurants and food services as well as a variety of others.

Operational Considerations

If you work in the accommodation or restaurant sector, please review operational considerations for COVID-19 management provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Halifax Chamber Reopening Toolkit

A toolkit detailing a five-step approach to help businesses prepare for safe operation with COVID-19. Read the Reopening Business in Halifax Toolkit for the 5 most important ways you can prepare to reopen your business.

Halifax Partnership Resources

Whether you're managing cashflow issues, navigating government programs, or considering the best way to reopen, Halifax Partnership's team can help guide you.

Reopening Resources

Halifax Partnership has created tools and resources are meant to help employers and employees return to work safely and successfully.

Government Supports for Tourism Businesses

Tourism Nova Scotia has created and maintains this handy fact sheet outlining COVID-19 resources and support for tourism businesses.