You should check ahead before going to a Remembrance Day service this year.
Valerie Mitchell-Veinotte, the Executive Director for the Royal Canadian Legion Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command, said COVID-19 restriction mean some won’t be open to the public.
“There are some branches that don’t feel that they can carry out remembrance ceremonies whereby the public would be invited.”
Mitchell-Veinotte said, like all public events, it’s important to observe COIVD-19 precautions.
She said each branch will obey COVID-19 rules according to the specifics of their situation.
“What that will look like may differ from branch to branch and community to community,” she said. “Because, of course, the footprint of the actual venues varies.”
That holds true for the Halifax area, four major cenotaph ceremonies are all doing things just a bit differently.
Grand Parade, Halifax
The ceremony will be slightly scaled back, with no parade. However, the public will be allowed to attend and lay wreaths.
You’ll need to show proof of vaccination and masks will be required for the whole of the ceremony.
It runs from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Anyone who wants to lay a wreath but doesn’t want to show proof of vaccination can do so after the service is finished.
Sullivan’s Pond, Dartmouth
The service will be back with a parade and wreath laying ceremonies.
There will be some crowd control and the number of wreaths will be limited to about 20.
Masks are required for the service.
It gets underway just before 11:00 a.m.
Fish Hatchery Park, Bedford
There will be only a limited ceremony.
Five wreaths will be laid at the cenotaph.
Just like last year, the public will not be allowed to participate.
Sackville Heritage Park, Lower Sackville
The service will be open to the public. However, a small area around the cenotaph will be taped off for invited guests.
Masks are encouraged for anyone viewing the ceremony but will not be required.
It starts just before 11:00 a.m.
