Extensions have been announced to three temporary COVID-19 restrictions orders in the NWT.
Temporary COVID-19 restrictions in Whatì has been extended to October 9th while temporary COVID-19 restrictions in Behchokǫ̀ has been extended to October 7th.
The COVID-19 gatherings order in effect for Yellowknife, Dettah, and Ndilǫ has been extended to October 4th with some added restrictions.
The Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola says outdoor gatherings will be limited to 25 people while indoor gatherings are limited to 10 people.
“This will not apply to essential businesses and facilities, provided they limit the number of in-person staff to those required to carry out operations,” she adds.
Kandola says all previous exemptions for persons, businesses, organizations, restaurants or bars will no longer apply.
“Further exemptions during this 10 -day order will only be provided in exceptional circumstances to further limit the spread within Yellowknife,” she adds.
Household gatherings will continue to be limited to five visitors at one time while schools, colleges, and trade schools will remain closed until the expiry of the order.
Daycares and day homes are exempt from this order under currently approved plans that have been submitted to the OCPHO.
Kandola says she is hopeful that by implementing these additional restrictions for a 10-day period it will act as a circuit breaker to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Yellowknife, allow for the safe reopening of schools, and a return to relaxed restrictions on gatherings.
Yellowknife currently has 141 active cases of COVID-19, over 60 percent of the territory’s total.
Behchokǫ̀ has 51 cases while Whatì has 30.
