Please take a few moments to read this letter from our United Church of Canada’s Regional Council 15
You can download a PDF here.
November 25, 2020
Dear Members of Regional Council 15,
As we are now in a situation where in certain parts of the Province of Nova Scotia COVID cases are on the rise, it is very important that you check the Nova Scotia COVID-19 website on a regular basis to see the updated in restrictions.
Dr. Strang and Premier McNeil have just announced significant changes for the western and central HRM area (which is defined as HRM from Hubbards to, and including, Porters Lake and the communities up to Elmsdale and Mount Uniacke in Hants County). These new restrictions will come into force at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, and continue for two weeks until midnight December 9, with a possibility of extension.
Significant for our churches is the following:
- the gathering limit in public is five (or up to the number of members of an immediate family in a household)
- faith-based activities are paused
- Strang said faith-based gatherings can still happen but only with five people, so in essence they are closed.
Dr. Strang:
“Of likely greatest importance to you is the fact that, in the geographic Halifax areas, the maximum number of people allowed in any gathering, including faith services or gatherings is five (5). I recognize the impact that this will have due to the significance of the coming weeks to many religions and I truly wish that these restrictions were not necessary. However, we are in the midst of a second COVID 19 wave and we need to prioritize the need to rapidly [get] this under control”
For the areas affected, this will be the same as we were back in March-April. Worship services should revert to being on line again.
Please also note the restriction for the whole province with respect to long term care homes. The following new restrictions apply across the province:
- To protect our most vulnerable, there will be no visitors except volunteers and designated caregivers to long-term care facilities and Adult Residential Centres and Regional Rehabilitation Centres licensed by the Department of Community
…2
From Dr. Strang at the November 25, 2020 news conference:
“COVID-19 loves social and group activities because it can spread quickly and easily,” said Dr. Strang. “These measures are targeted to reduce the situations in which COVID-19 thrives. Go to work or go to school, then go home and stay there. One family member can shop for necessities. It will likely get worse before it gets better so don’t falter in following public health measures.”
For more information please go to the new releases:
New Restrictions to Reduce Spread of COVID-19 , and Coronavirus (COVID-19): restriction updates
Dr. Strang has asked that we care for each other and, in caring for each other, keep everyone COVID Safe. While we understand that this is difficult, it is what is needed at this point.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to be in contact. Blessings,
Faith
Faith March-MacCuish Executive Minister
The United Church of Canada L’Eglise Unie du Canada
Regional Council 15
21 Wright Street, Sackville, NB E4L 4P8
Tel: (800) 268-3781 ext. 6142 • Email: info4rc15@united-church.ca