As of 5 p.m. on March 4th, residents of Fort Simpson and Norman Wells can now self-isolate in their home communities following travel outside the territory.
This allows Fort Simpson and Norman Wells residents the opportunity to safely isolate in their home communities instead of one of the four regional hub isolation centres.
Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services says Self-isolation for 14 days can be challenging for individuals, especially away from home.
“Allowing residents to safely self-isolate in their home communities will offer a greater sense of well-being in more familiar surroundings, while continuing to keep our residents and communities healthy and safe,” she adds.
NWT Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola says both communities, being regional centres, have enough medical resources to support new cases that arise, including stabilization of any severe cases pending transport to another centre.
“Both communities completed second dose clinics of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine this week and both have active wastewater surveillance with collections occurring twice per week,” she continues.
Prior to this amendment, anyone living in the two communities returning from travel outside the NWT was required to self-isolate for 14 days in Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith or Inuvik.
In order to self-isolate in either of these communities residents must, submit a self-isolation plan to Protect NWT prior to entering the NWT, safely self-isolate for 14 days in their home community immediately upon entering the NWT, and only travel to their home community once their self-isolation plan is approved.
Kandola also says the territory, which has been in phase two of the Emerging Wisely plan since June, could move to phase three in the coming months depending on how safe it is.
