Dear Doctor,

Today, Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer, and Premier Stephen McNeil announced new travel protocols to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the province. The directive stated that all public sector employees, including health-care providers, who travel outside of Canada (including the United States), are required to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return. The private sector was also encouraged to take the same approach.

Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) sought clarification from government because physicians are not part of the public sector and we were informed that physicians are included in this directive. As of today, any physician who has travelled outside of Canada must self-isolate for 14 days after returning to the country. It is also recommended that physicians’ family members self-isolate if they have travelled. The province is unable to voluntarily test physicians so they can return to work sooner.

Doctors Nova Scotia was briefed by a senior government official prior to the Premier’s press conference that health-care workers will be paid during the self isolation. Government has assured us that physician compensation will not be affected, if physicians need to self-isolate due to travel. This includes fee-for-service physicians. We are working with the Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) to understand the details. Once we have more information, we will send you an update.

Just a short time ago, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked all Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada.

We continue to advocate the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the DHW to facilitate physicians’ use of virtual-care tools and the fees associated with that work. We hope to have answers and clarification soon.

Dr. Robert Strang is also encouraging individuals, employers and community organizations to limit social gatherings to no more than 150 people to limit spread of the novel coronavirus. This could include events like conferences, weddings, church services, movie screenings and concerts. This measure will help protect vulnerable Nova Scotians who are at greatest risk and it will be reassessed as the situation evolves.

Prime Minister Trudeau also announced today a ban on all cruise ships and ferries that carry more than 500 passengers (including crew) from docking in Canada until July to protect against the growing COVID-19 pandemic. This decision will be reviewed after June 30.

To date, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.

Compensation issues
Doctors Nova Scotia is working with the DHW to clarify a number of issues related to the remuneration of physicians in a pandemic, including:

1. The capacity of physicians to bill for patients that are seen virtually, including by telephone or other mediums, in a way that is easy and not restrictive nor punitive. This would allow physicians to see patients outside of the office setting, which has been encouraged by a number of key partners. This would also allow physicians to continue to provide service if they are required to self-isolate.
2. How physicians will be compensated if they contract the virus, are quarantined or some other situation beyond their control.
3. Following what other provinces and territories are doing in this regard, we will ensure to the best of our ability that our physicians are protected. Given the dynamic evolution of this virus, we understand time is of the essence. We will be providing updates to the membership as soon as we have news.

Join the COVID-19 webinar
Doctors Nova Scotia is hosting two information webinars on COVID-19 with Dr. Claudia Sarbu, medical officer of health, and her NSHA colleagues: one on Monday, March 16 and one on Monday, March, 23. Dr. Sarbu will share the latest information and address your questions and concerns.

Register here for a webinar.

Additional Resources:
Department of Health and Wellness (public)
Nova Scotia Health Authority (physician and provider hub)
The Public Health Agency of Canada maintains a list of affected areas
Government of Canada
Nova Scotia Public Health offices
811 Website
Canadian Medical Association

Cases in Canada
As of March 12, 2020, there are 152 confirmed cases in Canada. The virus continues to expand globally.