In spite of COVID-19, Nova Scotia is going ahead with banning single-use plastic bags by the end of the month.
The Plastic Bag Reduction Act was passed about a year ago, and Premier Stephen McNeil confirmed at a media briefing on Tuesday, that it will come into effect on October 30 as planned.
“It will proceed as scheduled,” he told reporters.
This means businesses will no longer be able to offer single-use plastic bags at the checkout, but instead can offer paper bags, or a reusable one if the customer did not bring their own.
The provincial Environment Department had been seeking advice from Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang on whether reusable bags are a safe option during the pandemic.
“There’s nothing from a COVID reason that would require them to delay,” Dr. Strang said.
He added, he did warn the Environment Department that the business community may not want to deal with another hurdle during COVID-19.
“I also gave them the perspective from the retail sector that because of all the impacts from COVID there was a need to not put another burden, and we could delay that,” he said.
There are exceptions to the ban. Businesses will still be able to provide plastic bags for things like loose bulk items such as fruit and vegetables; food or baked goods that aren’t pre-packaged; prescription drugs from a pharmacy; and for protecting tires.
PEI implemented a ban on single use plastics last year, and Newfoundland and Labrador followed suit earlier this month.
