NOVA SCOTIA - The province's Chief Medical Officer of Health is warning that the restrictions currently in place for Phase Four of Nova Scotia's pandemic reopening strategy could remain that way into September and possibly October if second-dose vaccinations don't pick up. 

Dr, Robert Strang confirmed on Thursday that he and his staff are prepared to keep Nova Scotia in Phase Four as long as the province does not reach the 75 per cent fully-vaccinated rate required to move forward with the elimination of mask protocols and the conclusion of social-distancing and gathering-limit rules under what the province has branded as "Phase Five: Learning To Live With COVID-19."

While only 36,000 Nova Scotians - roughly seven percent of the province's populations - are still waiting to receive their second dose, Dr. Strang noted that many of these people have only booked their vaccination dates for September or October, and he urged them to move these dates up if Nova Scotia is to have any chance of joining its fellow Atlantic Provinces in moving forward on full reopening strategies. 

In the meantime, gathering limits of 150 for indoor events and 250 for outdoor events will remain in place, with masks still required indoors and for any outdoor circumstances where host organizers deem it unsafe to go maskless.

However, small family or social gatherings can take place without masks as long as gathering limits are maintained and proper social distancing is in place. These gatherings are limited to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. 

As well, restaurants, licensed establishments and retail establishments can re-open to full capacity at their regular hours, as long as social-distancing is maintained and masks are kept on, with the exception of periods where food or drink is being consumed at any of these buildings.