Gathering restrictions and containment order issued for Hay River and K'atl'odeeche First Nation
CBC
The N.W.T. chief public health officer issued a 14-day public health order restricting gatherings in Hay River and a 14-day containment order for K'atl'odeeche First Nation (KFN) Tuesday afternoon.
Both orders take effect at 11:59 p.m. and expire at the end of the day on Nov. 2, unless they are extended, according to a news release Tuesday.
Citing evidence of community transmission and active cases in four of the five Hay River/ KFN schools, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola's order in Hay River limits indoor gatherings to 10 people and outdoor ones to 25.
Schools must remain closed and household gatherings are limited to people who live inside the house.
The 10-person restriction for indoor gatherings does not apply to essential businesses and facilities, the order states, as long as "they limit the number of in-person staff to those required to carry out operations."
The order also states that all previous exemptions to gathering restrictions "for persons, businesses, organizations, restaurants or bars" no longer apply.
It stated that Kandola hopes the implementation of the new restrictions will "act as a circuit breaker to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Hay River."
The order also recommends that people avoid all non-essential travel in and out of Hay River until Nov. 2.
The number of active cases in the communities has been climbing steadily since Oct. 4, when only two cases were being reported. At the beginning of last week, on Oct. 12, there were eight cases. By Oct. 16, the number had doubled. As of Tuesday, the number of cases stands at 24.
In K'atl'odeeche First Nation, Kandola said in the statement there's been a sudden increase in transmission that can't be traced.
While she didn't provide a specific number of cases in the community, she said it's fewer than 10, but that contact tracing, currently underway, will reveal the number.
The containment order means all non-essential businesses must close, and that the Chief Sunrise Education Centre must now transition to remote learning.
The only essential businesses that can remain open are gas stations and convenience stores as well as facilities offering health and social supports, and child care services.
"Restrictions will be placed on indoor or outdoor gatherings to include only household members," the statement reads, adding that the restrictions are enforceable by law.
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