HRM Mayor Mike Savage says new COVID-19 measures in the Halifax-area, are tough but necessary as the municipality deals with increasing infections.
The sweeping restrictions were announced Tuesday when the province reported 37 new cases of the virus. All but two of them, were identified in the Nova Scotia Health Authority's Central Zone.
Mayor Savage tells NEWS 95.7's The Sheldon MacLeod Show, he supports the restrictions and believes they will help reduce the spread of the virus.
"The steps that were taken yesterday were needed," he says. "Half-measures don't work. We've seen in some of the western provinces, where measures haven't been as strong."
He says the new rules have to be enforced for the benefit of everyone.
"It was made clear yesterday... that we fully expect the rules will be enforced," he says. "If people have gatherings that are illegal it's not enough to fine the person who owns the house. Everybody has to be responsible and will have to pay the penalty if they don't."
Savage says throughout the pandemic, Halifax has had COVID-19 caseloads that other cities in Canada, and around the world, envy.
In the last few weeks, Savage says he has heard from mayors in Germany, and the UK asking how the municipality has kept COVID-19 under control.
