News Bulletin - March 2, 2022
COVID-19 Update: March 2, 2022
On February 23rd, 2022, the provincial government announced that Nova Scotia is moving up the timeline for easing public health restrictions and will end all restrictions on March 21st, 2022.
Provincial Restrictions
On February 28th, 2022 the province removed the current requirement to show proof of full vaccination before participating in non-essential, discretionary events and activities. Other restrictions continue.
On March 7th, 2022 at 12:01am the province will enter Phase 2. Restrictions will allow informal indoor gathering limits of 25 people and 50 outdoors. Masks are still required to be worn indoors in public spaces and people who test positive for COVID-19 will still be required to self-isolate but they will no longer be required to notify close contacts outside their own household. For more information on all the changes to restrictions in Phase 2, click HERE.
On March 21st, 2022, the province will enter Phase 3 and all provincial COVID-19 restrictions will be removed. For more information on Phase 3, click HERE.
Seller's Decisions About COVID-19 Safety
Regardless of phase and government restrictions, sellers may request that licensees, consumers, inspectors, etc. who enter their home follow COVID-19 safety measures including providing proof of full vaccination, social distancing, wearing masks or gloves, sanitizing, etc. Licensees must follow the lawful instruction of their clients.
Commission Continuing Safety Measures Until Further Notice
The Commission is continuing to require certain measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for the safety of staff, public, students, and licensees. The Commission's safety measures will be in place until further notice and we will continue to reassess.
Staff have returned to the Commission office but public and licensee access to the Commission office continues to be by appointment only. Anyone who comes into the office is required to wear a mask and complete the COVID-19 screening declaration in advance.
Students writing licensing exams are still required to wear a mask, provide proof of full vaccination, and complete the Commission's COVID-19 screening declaration the day before their exam. Students who are unable to wear a mask for the duration of the exam due to medical reasons must contact the Registrar for alternate arrangements.
The Commission will continue to conduct modified trust audits and modified brokerage audits. In the audit notification, the auditor will specify a list of items that the broker must send to the auditor electronically. Brokers, please provide only the items specified. For the transaction file review of the brokerage audit, a rating will not be issued, but the broker will be provided with a list of discrepancies, if any, identified in each transaction file.
COVID-19 Resources
The Commission is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 orders, directives and guidelines from the government. We will continue to communicate with the industry as information is made available.
