The municipality is committed to taking important steps in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
For all health-related updates on COVID-19, visit novascotia.ca/coronavirus
The municipality’s Emergency Management Division is working very closely with provincial partners at Health and Wellness and NS Emergency Management Office to respond to, and mitigate, the impacts of COVID-19.
Exercising protective measures, such as regular proper hand washing, will help defend against, and reduce the risk of, spreading COVID-19.
Information regarding municipal programs and services, as well as provincial health messages, will be shared via Twitter @hfxgov, public service announcements and our website.
Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Per the province's Sept. 29 announcement, Phase 5 of Nova Scotia’s reopening plan began Oct. 4, 2021.
Further to our organization’s ongoing commitment to take important steps in reducing the spread of COVID-19, and in light of the Oct. 6 announcement by the Province of Nova Scotia, the municipality is implementing a mandatory vaccination policy for its employees.
On Oct. 7, the municipality announced that all municipal employees must be fully vaccinated by Dec. 15, 2021 and that any municipal employees who are not fully vaccinated by Dec. 15 will face employment consequences, including unpaid administrative leave, unless they have received an employer-approved exemption.
Municipal employees have until Dec. 3 to show proof of full vaccination, or that they have received their first dose and are on track to be fully vaccinated by Dec. 15.
On Oct. 22, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommended that the optimal interval between first and second doses is eight weeks. As a result, if an employee has chosen to follow NACI’s recommendation, by Dec. 3 the employee must show proof that they received their first dose on or before November 3, and are on track to be fully vaccinated by January 12, 2022.
Employees who do not verify their vaccination information with the municipality by Dec. 3 will face employment consequences, including unpaid administrative leave, unless they have received an employer-approved exemption.
Full vaccination will also be a condition for new staff being hired. All other individual situations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis depending on the individual circumstances presented.
The municipality continues its practice of following the direction and guidance of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Province of Nova Scotia.
Municipal updates
- General
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An important reminder to residents: Do not call 911 for non-emergency purposes. For non-emergencies, please call 311 and/ or police non-emergency lines.
Cleaning staff in all municipal facilities have been instructed to increase the frequency of thoroughly cleaning public surfaces, such as door knobs, elevators and counters.The current provincial public health order states that non-medical masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces. Details can be found here.
In-person Regional Council meetings resumed on Oct. 19. More information, including how to watch online, can be found on our agenda page.
Further to our organization’s ongoing commitment to take important steps in reducing the spread of COVID-19, and in light of the Oct. 6 announcement by the Province of Nova Scotia, the municipality is implementing a mandatory vaccination policy for its employees.
On Oct. 7, the municipality announced that all municipal employees must be fully vaccinated by Dec. 15, 2021 and that any municipal employees who are not fully vaccinated by Dec. 15 will face employment consequences, including unpaid administrative leave, unless they have received an employer-approved exemption.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recently recommended that the optimal interval between first and second doses is eight weeks. As a result, employees who advise their supervisor/manager prior to Dec. 3, 2021 that they have commenced the vaccination process (received first dose on or before Nov. 3) and will be fully vaccinated by Jan. 12, 2022 will not be placed on unpaid leave effective Dec. 15, 2021.
Any municipal employees who are not fully vaccinated by Jan. 12 will face employment consequences including unpaid administrative leave unless they have received an employer-approved exemption. Full vaccination will also be a condition for new staff being hired. All other individual situations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis depending on the individual circumstances presented.
The municipality continues its practice of following the direction and guidance of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Province of Nova Scotia.
- Customer Service
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The in-person customer service centres at Alderney Gate and Bayers Road are open to the public with regular hours.
The Planning & Development Permit Office, located at 7071 Bayers Road (second floor), is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and then from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays (excluding holidays).A number of services offered by 311 and the customer service centres remain available online, including the payment of parking tickets, zoning confirmation applications and applications for all permit and subdivision applications.
As part of the 2020/21 recast budget discussion, the customer service centres and drop-boxes at Acadia Centre (Sackville) and Scotia Square will remain permanently closed.
- Halifax Public Libraries
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For the latest information on library services, visit their website.
- Halifax Transit
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In keeping with the public health order, masks are currently mandatory on all Halifax Transit buses, ferries and terminals (children under two and those with a medical reason for not wearing a mask are exempt). The two-metre physical distancing and physical gathering limits do not apply to Halifax Transit, as stated in the provincial order.
Those who are feeling ill are reminded not use any transit service until their health returns to normal.
Follow @hfxtransit on Twitter for the most up-to-date information regarding service disruptions.
Read Halifax Transit schedules. Based on current staff availability, Halifax Transit anticipates that conventional bus service may be impacted.
- Parks & Recreation
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Phase 5 of Nova Scotia’s reopening plan began on Monday, Oct. 4 with a modified approach.
The physical distancing and gathering limits for municipal sporting and performing arts events have been lifted.
Proof of full vaccination is required for people who are 12 and older to participate in recreation programming, to visit recreation and fitness centres, and to attend a performance or sporting event – this also includes any parents/guardians and spectators also visiting the centre.
Proof of vaccination is not required for children 11 years of age and younger (they can attend activities with a fully vaccinated adult). The municipality will adhere to the provincial vaccination policies regarding children and youth.
Further information can be found on the provincial website.
- Halifax Water
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Halifax Water will maintain critical services.
- Planning & Development
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A new online solution has been implemented for permit applications.
An online form has been created for sub-division and variance application intakes.
Applications for Rezoning, Municipal Plan Amendments, Development Agreements, or Downtown Halifax Site Plan Approvals can be submitted via email to Carl Purvis, Planning Applications Program Manager, at purvisc@halifax.ca.
Revised drawings and/ or any amended planning application information for current files can also be submitted via email, directly to the planner assigned to your file. - Solid Waste
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Waste collection is continuing as scheduled. To learn more, click here.
- Employee Information
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Further to our organization’s ongoing commitment to take important steps in reducing the spread of COVID-19, and in light of the Oct. 6 announcement by the Province of Nova Scotia, the municipality is implementing a mandatory vaccination policy for its employees.
On Oct. 7, the municipality announced that all municipal employees must be fully vaccinated by Dec. 15, 2021 and that any municipal employees who are not fully vaccinated by Dec. 15 will face employment consequences, including unpaid administrative leave, unless they have received an employer-approved exemption.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recently recommended that the optimal interval between first and second doses is eight weeks. As a result, employees who advise their supervisor/manager prior to Dec. 3, 2021 that they have commenced the vaccination process (received first dose on or before Nov. 3) and will be fully vaccinated by Jan. 12, 2022 will not be placed on unpaid leave effective Dec. 15, 2021.
Any municipal employees who are not fully vaccinated by Jan. 12 will face employment consequences including unpaid administrative leave unless they have received an employer-approved exemption. Full vaccination will also be a condition for new staff being hired. All other individual situations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis depending on the individual circumstances presented.
The municipality continues its practice of following the direction and guidance of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Province of Nova Scotia.
For employee updates regarding COVID-19, please visit: https://www.hrmmatters.ca/coronavirus.
What you can do
- For all information on COVID-19 testing, self-assessments and prevention, visit novascotia.ca/coronavirus.
- Access 211 to find non-municipal community and social services available in your area at this time. This service is available 24/7 in 140 languages.
- Residents can call 311 for updated information on municipal services.
Provincial state of emergency
The Halifax Regional Municipality supports the province’s decision to declare a state of emergency.
A provincial state of emergency does not impact public safety service levels or the need to maintain a level of core public services. All standard essential services of the municipality – including 311, fire and police – are operational and adhering to the most updated guidance and precautions from health officials.
Residents and businesses are advised: Under provincial authority, individuals who are found in breach of the order will be subject to fines issued by provincial and local police enforcement.