COVID-19 GN Update - November 30, 2020

COVID-19 GN Update - November 30, 2020

Premier’s update:

Good morning. Today, Nunavut has four new cases of COVID-19, all in Arviat.

Nunavut now has a total of 108 active cases of COVID-19. The total number of persons followed to date is 4896. There are 712 persons currently being followed. 73 Nunavummiut have now recovered from the virus, and for that we are grateful.

I know Dr. Patterson has some significant announcements on Nunavut’s Path, so I’ll let him get to that.

Keep up the hard work, Nunavummiut. I’m impressed by your strength, courage and dedication. We’ve got this.

Let’s all stay well and safe and focused on everyone’s health.

Chief Public Health Officer Update:

Good morning. First, I would like to thank Nunavummiut for their patience and co-operation over the past two weeks as we work to contain the spread of COVID-19.

This Wednesday, December 2, the restrictions we put in place following the outbreak, are set to be reviewed. In line with our commitments under Nunavut's Path, my office has assessed the current situation and has determined that until we can be absolutely certain there is no longer community transmission of COVID-19 in Arviat, current restrictions will remain in effect for that community. This includes, limited outdoor gatherings and indoor gatherings, essential services only, and restricted travel in and out of Arviat for the next two weeks.

In Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet, where we do not have any indication of community transmission, restrictions will be eased. Starting Wednesday, December 2, the following measures will apply:

• Travel restrictions will be lifted, though we continue to strongly advise against non-essential travel at this time and remind Nunavummiut that travel into Arviat is still restricted.
• Outdoor gatherings are restricted to 50 people with physical distancing.
• Gatherings in homes are restricted to a household plus 10 people.
• Masks are strongly recommended.
• Indoor gatherings for community halls, conference spaces and within government and Inuit organization facilities is restricted to 50 or 50% capacity.
• Recreation centres and gyms open to solo workouts only.
• Libraries open but no tours or groups gatherings.
• Galleries open but no tours or groups gatherings.
• Places of worship open to 50% capacity, but no singing.
• All public playgrounds, municipal parks, territorial parks, and territorial parks reserves may open, but buildings must be closed.
• Arenas remain closed.
• Businesses and government offices can open. Physical distancing must be maintained.
• Personal service providers, except for hairdressers and barbers, can open. Physical distancing must be maintained PPE used upon request.
• Food service and licensed establishments may open for takeout and delivery service only.
• There must be 2m distance between all people in line and no more than 10 people in line at any given time.
• All bars remain closed.
• In both communities, schools will move to stage 3 in the Department of Educations plan.
• Daycares can open with enhanced cleaning protocols and as per the daycare guidelines at https://www.gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/child_care_facility_re-opening....
• Taxis can operate with one fare per trip and masks mandatory.

For the remaining Kivalliq communities and the Baffin and Kitikmeot regions, where there are no active cases of COVID-19, restrictions will also be eased. Starting Wednesday December 2:

• Travel restrictions will be lifted, though we continue to strongly advise against non-essential travel at this time and remind Nunavummiut that travel into Arviat is still restricted.
• Elementary schools open; middle and high schools combine classroom and remote learning.
• Daycares can open with enhanced cleaning protocols and as per the daycare guidelines at https://www.gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/child_care_facility_re-opening....
• Nunavut Arctic College, open at reduced capacity and masks are mandatory.
• Outdoor gatherings are restricted to 50 people with physical distancing.
• Gatherings in homes are restricted to a household plus 15 people.
• Masks are strongly recommended.
• Indoor gatherings for community halls, conference spaces and within government and Inuit organization facilities is restricted to 50 or 50% capacity.
• Public swimming pools, recreation centres and gyms open to solo workouts and lane swim. Hot tubs and saunas may also open, groups up to 10 people.
• Theatres open to 50 people or 50% capacity.
• Libraries, galleries and museums may open with group sizes no more than 10.
• Places of worship open to 50% capacity, singing is allowed.
• All public playgrounds, municipal parks, territorial parks, and territorial park reserves may open.
• Arenas may open at reduced capacity of 50% capacity or 50 people. Total number of spectators cannot exceed fifty (50) people.
• Businesses and government offices can open. Physical distancing must be maintained.
• All personal service providers can open. Physical distancing must be maintained and PPE used upon request.
• Food service and licensed establishments may open seated service at 50% of normal capacity. There must be 2m distance between tables and no more than 6 people seated or around each table.
• Taxis can operate with multiple fares if the first passenger consents and everyone wears masks.

Keep in mind, a new outbreak of COVID-19 could impact any or all of these restrictions at any time.

Please continue to practise social distancing, washing your hands, staying home when sick and calling the hotline if you develop symptoms. Everyone has a role to play in helping reduce the risk of COVID-19.

Thank you.

As part of the Government of Nunavut’s (GN) effort to protect Nunavummiut against the risk of COVID-19, GN Departments are implementing the following:

Department of Health Services

For all the latest information and resources about COVID-19 in Nunavut, go to:

https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

For the latest information on current public health restrictions, go to: 

https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/nunavuts-path

COVID-19 case status: Nov. 30

COVID-19 community case stats: Nov. 30

Testing stats to date per community: Nov. 30

Isolation population:

Traveller repatriation summary:

Critical Worker Requests:

As of Nov. 27 there were 9556 requests, 4481 of which were critical worker requests.

Department of Community and Government services

Requests to enter the territory for construction related projects or to travel within the territory for construction related projects, can be emailed to: @email

Construction workers who completed isolation to date: 2,227.

Nunavummiut’s health is our shared responsibility! Remember: wash your hands and surfaces, practice social distancing, listen to the advice of health officials, and stay home if you’re sick.