Almost 56 per cent of Nova Scotians fully vaccinated

Nova Scotia has reached a point where almost 56 per cent of people in the province are fully vaccinated.

There are also two new cases and one recovery in the province.

In an online news conference conducted via Zoom with media on Friday, Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, said progress is being made in vaccination goals.

“Our goal is to have 75 per cent of the population with two doses of the vaccine by the end of August.”

At that point, the province can move into Phase 5 of the recovery plan, which includes further reduction of restrictions.

“We haven’t made a final decision, but I think it’s safe to say that once you’re able to get to that Phase 5, what it means is that, certainly looking at reducing or even removing any border requirements for domestic travellers,” Strang said. “International travellers, that’s federal jurisdiction.

“It would also mean removing most, if not all, of the restrictions and mandatory measures but continuing to support and promote many of the individual measures such as increased handwashing, increased cleaning ... being careful about our social circles, as I mentioned before, not mandatory but certainly recommending masking in indoor places, especially when you’re around other people.”