The following information is from a NS Government Fact Sheet
1. I have employees who returned from travel outside of Canada BEFORE March 13, 2020. Should these employees be directed to self isolate?
No, however employees who returned from travel outside of Canada BEFORE March 13, 2020 are expected to closely monitor their health. If the employee begins to experience symptoms (fever, new cough, or difficulty breathing), they are required to self-isolate and call 811 for direction. More information on when you should call 811 can be found at: https://811.novascotia.ca/health_topics/covid-19-when-to-call-811/
2. I have employees who returned from travel outside of Canada AFTER March 13, 2020. Should these employees be directed to self isolate?
Yes. Employees who returned from travel outside of Canada AFTER March 13, 2020 have been directed to self-isolate for fourteen days. They should not come to work. Employees who have been directed to self-isolate should be paid during their self-isolation. Please track these costs and report them to the department through the financial impact reporting process.
3. I have an employee in home care/long term care who lives with someone who has been directed to self-isolate for 14 days. Can they still work?
Yes, employees who live with someone who has been directed to self-isolate should report to work. If the traveller develops symptoms, they should call 811 to be assessed for testing, and the employee should self-isolate and closely monitor themselves for symptoms until it is determined whether or not the traveller tests positive for COVID-19. Individuals who are self-isolating should limit contact with household members.
Visit www.novascotia.ca/coronavirus for more information on self-isolation.
4a. Can nursing home residents continue to go into the community to visit friends and family?
There are no government restrictions on residents leaving facilities. This should be determined on a case-by-case basis in cooperation with the resident. Considerations include where the resident will be going and their ability to adhere to respiratory etiquette, hand hygiene practices and understanding of social distancing (staying two metres or 6 feet apart from others).
4b. If yes, how should staff support this?
If outings are approved following a case-by-case assessment, staff should remind the resident about the importance of social distancing, practicing respiratory etiquette and good hand hygiene. Within the facility, staff can ensure high touch surfaces are cleaned and disinfected frequently to minimize the potential of the spread of illness.
5. Should residents be isolated upon return from an outing in the community?
It is not necessary to isolate residents after leaving the facility unless the resident has:
a) travelled outside of Canada, or
b) been in contact with someone who is experiencing symptoms and has travelled outside of Canada, or
c) been in contact with someone who has a presumptive positive diagnosis of COVID-19
6. I have a resident who leaves long term care three times per week for dialysis. Should that resident be isolated upon return from dialysis?
That is not necessary. The resident should be encouraged to follow the advice provided for all Nova Scotians to practice social distancing as much as possible, respiratory etiquette, and good hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water and/or using hand sanitizer often.
7. Should home support and home care staff be leaving their work cell phone in their vehicle so that they don’t bring germs in and out of home support client homes?
That is not necessary, but phones and other frequently touched handheld devices should be cleaned and disinfected between clients, using appropriate disinfectant wipes.