04/14/2021
Clarity for Catered Events
Section 5.5 of the Public Health order allows an existing business or organization legally operating in NS to social and special events, and in such instances, the maximum gathering limits set out in Section 5.5.1 and 5.5.2 of the order apply - Indoors: 50% of the facility capacity up to a max of 100 persons, and Outdoors: max gathering of 150 persons.
In the case of a catered event on a private property, the application of the Order turns on who is “hosting” the event - the owner of the property or the caterer - and whether the event is being held in a private residence or “a large permanent/ temporary structure (i.e., tent or barn) on private property”.
If the catered event is held in a private residence, then the owner of the residence is the “host” of the event and is subject to the 10-person gathering limit as per sections 5.2 and 5.4.
If the catered event is held in a permanent / temporary structure on a private property, e.g. barn or tent, then if the caterer is an existing business and is willing to either take on the responsibility of being the “recognized business” that is hosting the event or collaborate with another “recognized business or organization” who are taking on this responsibility, then a gathering on private property could held with gathering limits as per 5.5.1. By taking on this responsibility the caterer is accountable for all the public health protocols being followed during the event. Work is underway to revise the event guidance document so that these protocols are clearly outlined for any “recognized business or organization”.
