My fellow Nova Scotians,

COVID-19 is an unprecedented and rapidly evolving situation, and I recognize this is a scary time for Nova Scotians. Public health officials are working closely with our colleagues across the country and our partners in Nova Scotia to limit the spread of the virus and increase capacity within the health system to respond.

During this state of emergency, we must all work together to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Here are important steps we are requiring all Nova Scotians to take:

• Stay home as much as possible. When you are out, practice social distancing by limiting contact with other people (stay 2 metres (6 feet) apart) and have no more than 5 people together
• Shop only for essentials, such as groceries and prescription medication and only have one person doing the shopping
• If you’ve traveled outside the province, self-isolate for 14 days
• If you feel unwell, go to 811.novascotia.ca and use the self-assessment questionnaire to find out if you need to call 811
• Wash your hands often, avoid touching your face and clean surfaces regularly

I understand that this situation may be creating a lot of fear. This is normal. However, it’s important that we respond, not in fear, but with caring, a sense of community and common sense. No one person is responsible, but we can all be part of the solution. If someone in your community is self-isolating or ill, what they need is your support, compassion and understanding. I encourage you to:

• Check in with those closest to you by phone, text or social media
• Have a video chat with someone in isolation
• Make sure your neighbours have what they need
• Encourage people to get information from reliable sources, like: novascotia.ca/coronavirus

Following public health direction and supporting each other is how we will beat this virus.

For the latest information, advice and resources, visit:
Government of Nova Scotia: novascotia.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus

For general information on novel coronavirus information, call:
Toll-free: 1-833-784-4397

For updates on social media, follow:
Government of Nova Scotia Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nsgov/
Government of Nova Scotia Twitter account: https://twitter.com/nsgov
Department of Health and Wellness Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/NovaScotiaHealthAndWellness/
Department of Health and Wellness Twitter account: https://twitter.com/nshealth

We will continue to provide you with the latest information to help you protect yourself, your family and community members. Thank you for your help in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in our province.

Dr. Robert Strang
Chief Medical Officer of Health
Province of Nova Scotia

(Click here to download letter)

[COVID-19] Message from the Office of the Municipality of Clare

Monday, March 23, 2020: In order to limit the spread of coronavirus to the population and following the directives of the federal and provincial governments regarding social distancing, the Municipality of Clare is suspending the following services:

CLARE MUNICIPAL BUILDING
Effective Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 4:30 p.m., the Municipal building will be closed to the public until further notice. Residents are asked to use our telephone services (902-769-2031) and online services (www.clarenovascotia.com) for public inquiries regarding municipal services.

All Clare Recreation activities are suspended until further notice.

Limited building inspection services will be available. Please contact the Building Inspection Department for more information.

If you wish to pay your municipal taxes, please remember that the following remote options are available:

1) Through most online financial institutions;
2) By e-Transfer;
3) By credit card (please note that a 1.75% service fee will be applied);
4) By mailing a cheque (please make cheques payable to Municipality of Clare, 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook, NS B0W 1Z0).

Municipal facilities will be closed to community meetings and gatherings until further notice.

CLARE HEALTH CENTRE
Until further notice, Tuesday and Thursday blood collection services are suspended.

While the Clare Health Centre remains open, patients are asked to respect the following protocols:

1) If you believe you have symptoms of COVID-19, contact 811.
2) If you have travelled outside of Canada you MUST self-isolate for 14 days.
3) If you have travelled outside the province in the last 14 days, consider rebooking your appointment with the Clare Health Centre (902-645-2777).

CLARE TRANSFER STATION
Effective immediately, the Clare Transfer Station is no longer open on Saturdays until further notice.

A reminder that the Transfer Station is closed to the general public until further notice. Only regular waste collectors, private sector businesses and general contractors will have access to the Transfer Station.

Please note that there is no change to regular curbside waste collection services.

BURNING PERMITS
There shall be no burning permits issued within the Municipality of Clare until further notice so as to limit exposure to our first responders for non-emergency events.

RENDEZ-VOUS DE LA BAIE
All activities at the Rendez-Vous de la Baie visitors centre are suspended until further notice.

CLARE VETERANS CENTRE
All activities at the Clare Veterans Centre are suspended until further notice.

HAVELOCK COMMUNITY CENTRE
All activities at the Havelock Community Centre are suspended until further notice.

SENATOR AMBROISE H. COMEAU LIBRARY
All activities at the Senator Ambroise H. Comeau Library are suspended until further notice.

MUNICIPAL PARKS
The following municipal sites are closed until further notice:

• Meteghan Family Park
• Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Municipal Park
• Joseph and Marie Dugas Municipal Park
• Wentworth Municipal Park

We remind you that the following provincial sites are closed until further notice:

• Mavillette Beach Provincial Park
• Smugglers Cove Provincial Park

ESSENTIAL SERVICES
EMO Clare, municipal staff and Séniors en Sécurité continue to monitor the situation regarding seniors and other individuals in isolation.

If you are an individual in isolation and in difficulty of accessing essential services, please call the Municipal Office at 902-769-2031.


We remind you that it is essential to be vigilant to reduce the spread of the virus. Anyone who has travelled outside Canada is asked to self-isolate for 14 days upon return, even if you are symptom-free. If you develop a fever, with a temperature 38°C or higher, and/or cough, please use this screening tool to find out if you should call 811 about COVID-19. https://when-to-call-about-covid19.novascotia.ca/en. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 and Nova Scotia’s response, visit novascotia.ca/coronavirus, and you can also read national information at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html.

The Municipality of Clare is following the situation very closely. Residents will be rapidly informed of any new measures that will be taken into effect. Please continue consulting the municipal Web site and Facebook page. Announcements will also be made on local radio stations Y95 CJLS (93.5 FM) and Radio CIFA (104.1 FM). These communications tools will be used for sharing all new information regarding COVID-19. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time. May we continue to exhibit the kind and compassionate traits that the community of Clare is known for; we are all in this together.