As of today, (July 24) all passengers and drivers on public transportation in Nova Scotia are required to wear non-medical masks. Children under 2 and people with a valid medical reason for not wearing a mask are exempt. (UPDATE: Dr Robert Strang said during the 1pm update on July 24, that if kids aged 2-4 will not wear a mask, that is ok but they should try)
Public transportation includes:
- municipally operated public transit (buses and ferries)
- school buses and vehicles operated by private schools
- community transit vehicles (like community operated buses)
- commercial vehicles like shuttle vans (excluding vehicles providing charters and tours)
- taxis
- vehicles serving residents and staff at long-term care facilities
There will be some exemptions to the policy. While the Canadian Thoracic Society states that there is no evidence that wearing a mask worsens a chronic lung condition such as asthma or COPD, for some people with chronic breathing conditions or mental health conditions, wearing a mask can create anxiety.
There are ways to overcome anxiety such as practicing wearing a mask for short periods of time at home. There are also some people with cognitive or developmental disabilities who are unable to wear a mask.
