News Bulletin - May 21, 2021

COVID-19 Update: May 21, 2021

Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, announced Wednesday, May 19, that current public health restrictions will remain in place across Nova Scotia until at least the second week of June.

Today, May 21, Premier Rankin and Dr. Strang announced the government is expanding the criteria for people who are moving to the province. People can apply to move to Nova Scotia with immediate family members who live in the same household if they have:

• a purchase and sale agreement for a property purchase showing that an offer has been accepted on or before May 1, 2021; or
• proof of ownership of property in Nova Scotia, and either a purchase and sale agreement for a property or notice of termination of their lease agreement in another province or territory.

People who meet this criteria must apply via the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in and have plan for the required 14-day self-isolation. Due to volume, it will take a week to review applications and only people who plan to arrive before July 1 will be considered at this time. People who plan to come later should wait until about a week before their travel date to apply.

People should not start their travel to Nova Scotia without having received approval in advance. They will be denied entry if they do not have approval.

Due to the public health restrictions in place, the licensing exams scheduled on June 4th are cancelled. If public health restrictions lift, the exams scheduled for June 18th will go ahead and we are looking at adding an additional date in June.

It's important that licensees stay up to date on COVID-19 restrictions. The Commission reminds licensees about the following directives:
 
The current COVID-19 restrictions to inter-provincial travel and the border are currently in place until the second week of June, with the possibility of being extended.
 
Licensees who wish to travel to other communities in the province must only do so if it is essential and there are no other options (such as virtual or electronic alternatives) and comply with the Nova Scotia health directives. Licensees representing sellers should strongly recommend sellers require masks, gloves, social distancing, and no touching surfaces to any visitor to the seller’s property.
 
Any reports received from consumers or licensees alleging non-compliance of these health directives should be promptly referred to the appropriate authorities. Failure to comply with provincial health directives in the course of trading in real estate constitutes unprofessional conduct per the Real Estate Trading Act.
 
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. For additional resources and information on COVID-19:

Government of Nova Scotia
Government of Canada
COVID-19 Information Sheet from NS Department of Health

The Commission office is currently closed until further notice. Staff are working remotely. To view staff contact information, click HERE.