Easing COVID-19 restrictions in Arviat
Statement
Easing COVID-19 restrictions in Arviat
Dr. Michael Patterson, Chief Public Health Officer, today issued the following statement:
“Based on current circumstances in Arviat, it is time to ease public health measures slightly, starting Wednesday, March 10. After assessment of the risks and the benefits, a gradual easing of restrictions is safe and in the best interests of Arviarmmiut.
Effective tomorrow, businesses and workplaces can re-open, although they may delay opening until they are ready. Schools will be allowed to open at stage 3 of the Opening Plan for Nunavut Schools, and daycares can re-open with enhanced cleaning. Outdoor gatherings will be allowed up to 25 people. Indoor gatherings in homes will be restricted to five people, plus those living in the home, but it is recommended that Arviammiut create bubbles of 2 households. Anyone who is positive with COVID-19 or has been identified as a high-risk contact is still required to isolate.
Masks will continue to be mandatory for everyone when they are outside of their homes. Travel in and out of Arviat will continue to be restricted. Please remember that although businesses and offices may open as early as Wednesday, some may need more time to prepare, and may not reopen right away.
A number of important factors informed this decision. We have identified links within this outbreak in Arviat, staff are able to do contact tracing in an appropriate timeframe and there is no evidence of community (or uncontrolled) transmission. Additionally, the vaccine has been made available to all adult residents of Nunavut, making the impact of COVID-19 much less than it was before. From the onset of this pandemic, we said the vaccine would play an important part in Nunavut’s Path.
It is time to begin easing some measures within Arviat, but this works best if everyone continues to follow the public health measures and cooperates with public health staff. If you have not yet been vaccinated, please make an appointment. If we work together, we can bring the COVID-19 case count to zero.”
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Media Contact:
Danarae Sommerville
Communications Specialist
Department of Health
867-975-5712
@email