Changes to travel within the Atlantic Bubble come into effect as of 12:01 Wednesday morning.

The bubble has been touted across Canada and elsewhere for its effectiveness in keeping COVID-19 at bay, but community spread in Nova Scotia and rising numbers have forced this province to ask all travelers, including those coming to the province from inside the bubble, to self-isolated for 14 days.

Premier Andrew Furey called it a two-week “circuit breaker.” The move is being made, he says, to prevent local businesses from the possibility of another complete shutdown. An updated decision on the temporary changes will be made in two weeks’ time.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business is applauding the provincial government’s decision.

Vaugh Hammond says it’s a better alternative than shutting businesses down. He says most businesses are entering the important pre-Christmas shopping period and to experience a lockdown now “would be a disaster, quite frankly.”

Non-essential travel outside Newfoundland and Labrador is not recommended.

As of tonight, anyone returning to the province from the other three Atlantic province’s must self-isolate for 14 days. While travelers will not have to apply for a travel exemption, the 14 day self-isolation period will be mandatory.

Those who cannot self-isolate for two weeks must apply for an exemption.