COVID-19 Visitor Information

Masking Policy

Effective December 18, 2025 Masking Is required upon entry and throughout Nova Scotia Health facilities.

Masks are not required in:

• Administrative buildings
• Private offices, nursing stations, or conference rooms (if no patients are present)
• Cafeterias (when seated)
• Patient bedspaces (for patients, partners, and visitors), or if other exceptions outlined in the policy apply.

Additional Information:

• Masking in non-acute care clinics (e.g., Primary Health, Collaborative Care) is at the discretion of program leadership
• NSH Long-Term Care Facilities refer to: A Guide to Respiratory Virus Infection and Outbreak Management in Long-Term Care Facilities.
• Infection, Prevention and Control may issue additional guidance as part of outbreak management.
• Additional PPE may be required based on Point-of-Care Risk Assessment (PCRA).

Pre-appointment patient screening

Respiratory screening prior to an in-person appointment at a Nova Scotia Health facility should be completed via a letter or a phone call in advance of the appointment.

For additional guidance on communicable diseases contact OHSWMatters@nshealth.ca or your zone Occupational Health Safety & Wellness department.

Attending a scheduled appointment within a Nova Scotia Health facility

• COVID-19 and respiratory screening starts with your appointment letter. Please refer to this letter prior to entering our facilities to ensure you are not exhibiting symptoms or risk associated with respiratory viruses.
   
• You may receive a call 48 hours prior to your appointment to complete respiratory screening and ensure you have all you need for your scheduled appointment.
   
• When you arrive, your treatment provider will complete screening questions related to respiratory viruses. Your treatment team will then determine how to best provide care and services, based on your screening outcomes.

Masking is still required in some Nova Scotia Health clinics and waiting areas. Your care team will ask you to don a mask in these areas and signs will be posted to indicate that masks are required.

Visitors

You can find our family presence information here.

What to Expect for Designated Caregivers in our Long Term Care Facilities

Designated caregivers can watch this instructional video to learn what to expect in our long term care facilities.

Also, view our COVID-19 Toolkit – Designated Caregivers in Long-term Care

Access Control

Access control measures remain in place at our facilities which includes limiting the number of entrances to our buildings. Please enter and exit at the identified access points.