COVID-19 Update: All ISANS Offices Closed until April 6th

March 22, 2020

Updated March 22

Important Update from ISANS on COVID-19 from the Province of Nova Scotia.

  • There is a state of emergency in Nova Scotia, giving the province special legal powers.
  • Gatherings of more than five people are not allowed. Gatherings should only happen if absolutely necessary.
  • As of March 22nd, if you have travelled outside of the Province of Nova Scotia, even within Canada, you must self-isolate for 14 days.
  • Police can enforce self-isolation and social distancing under the Health Protection Act. They can give tickets that includes fines if you do not obey self-isolation and social distancing. As of March 22nd, fines for each offence are $1000 and $7500 for businesses. You can be issued multiple tickets and fines if you do not obey requirements for self-isolation or social distancing.
  • Only one family member should be in a grocery store or pharmacy at one time to slow the spread of COVID-19.
  • Keep close to home and your neighborhood, only go out for critical items like food and medicine.
  • All public parks and beaches are closed.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, please continue to follow all instructions from local health authorities and the Government of Canada, including preventative actions like washing hands, travel restrictions and self-quarantine if required. This is important to keep you and your loved ones safe during this time.

Please be advised that these updates can change in the future as per guidance from the Nova Scotia Government, the Government of Canada, and relevant health authorities to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Update from March 16th regarding ISANS offices and programs

All ISANS offices are now officially closed. Staff are delivering services by phone and online. If you are an active client receiving individual or group service, staff will contact you about options. All online workshops, programs, and classes will continue as normal.

If you have an urgent settlement issue, please contact your settlement counsellor by phone or email, or contact Settlement Support at 902-406-0472. Staff will respond as soon as possible.

For all other inquiries, please contact your ISANS staff member, or our main reception lines: 1-866-431-6472, 902-423-3607, or email us at info@old.isans.ca.

Thank you for your support and patience as we work to deliver programs and services by phone and online.  Please continue to check our website and social media for further updates.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, please continue to follow all instructions from local health authorities and the Government of Canada, including preventative actions like washing hands, travel restrictions and self-quarantine if required. This is important to keep you and your loved ones safe during this time.

Please be advised that these updates can change in the future as per guidance from the Nova Scotia Government, the Government of Canada, and relevant health authorities to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

ISANS has implemented the following protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • ISANS clients, staff, or volunteers who travel internationally must quarantine themselves for 14 days after such travel before returning to ISANS services. This information must be disclosed to your program coordinator or teacher by email or phone
  • ISANS clients, staff, or volunteers who have not traveled personally but have had contact with an individual who has traveled internationally must quarantine themselves for 14 days before returning to ISANS in-person services, which are planned to resume April 6th. This information must be disclosed to your program coordinator or teacher by email or phone.
  • Individuals with flu-like symptoms, who have not traveled or were not in contact with an individual who traveled to an affected region are asked to stay at home, and contact a healthcare professional as you deem appropriate, returning to ISANS only when no longer ill, and when in-person services have resumed.
  • Individuals with flu-like symptoms who may have been directly or indirectly exposed to COVID-19 should take the online COVID-19 assessment here and call Nova Scotia Public Health Authority (811) immediately if instructed by the online assessment and avoid contact with others until it is determined whether or not they have COVID-19.
  • Intake sessions for clients who have been in Nova Scotia for less than two weeks will be conducted as phone sessions. When in-person programming and appointments have resumed, in-person appointments will be conducted at least two weeks after the landing date
  • Food services at ISANS’ organized gatherings are suspended until further notice
  • All business-related travel outside of Nova Scotia is prohibited for ISANS staff

For an overview of coronavirus, please see the following:

For an overview of proper handwashing techniques, please see the following:

For an overview of proper coughing and sneezing techniques, please see the following:

 

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