Gjoa Haven schools reduced to 50 per cent capacity starting February 21

News Release

Gjoa Haven schools reduced to 50 per cent capacity starting February 21

Iqaluit, Nunavut (February 20, 2022) – Today, Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), is advising that schools in Gjoa Haven will be restricted to 50 per cent student capacity when they open on Monday.

“Last week in Gjoa Haven there were a number of gatherings that involved elementary school children while the school was closed for PD Week,” said Dr. Patterson. “Due to increased risk and possible exposures to COVID-19, I am reducing attendance capacity at the school to 50 per cent and will re-assess at the end of the upcoming week.”

“All schools in Nunavut have prepared cohort plans based on the Department of Education’s health and safety guidelines, in case they need to move to 50 per cent student capacity,” said Minister of Education, Pamela Gross. “Gjoa Haven schools will be implementing their cohort plans effective Monday, February 21. School staff will contact students and their families to provide further information about cohorts and schedules.”

Anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms – runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, or difficulty breathing – should call the COVID hotline at 1-888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. EDT. There are longer wait times to get through to the hotline, so please remain patient. Please do not call or go to the health centre.

For all the latest information and guidelines on COVID-19 in Nunavut, go to: https://www.gov.nu.ca/.

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Media Contact:

Chris Puglia   
A/Manager of Communications
Department of Health
867-975-5949
@email