With no cases of Covid-19 present in the community, the Arctic Bay hamlet office has enacted a temporary bylaw banning gatherings. This bylaw has been in effect since the evening of April 9.
According to this bylaw, which was posted on social media by the Arctic Bay hamlet, all house gatherings have been banned. In other words, people who are not residents of the home, cannot gather inside the house. There is also a ban on all outdoor gatherings that involve more than two individuals.
All local non-business and bake sales from residence have been banned after 8:00 p.m; only deliveries are acceptable.
All pubic facilities are closed to the public.
The hamlet also stated, if the Department of Health reports an “infectious disease,” then all home-based bake sales will be halted.
Under this bylaw, there is also a curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. for all residents within the community.
“A fire alarm will sound the warning at 9:00 pm and another alarm will go off at 9:30 pm,” read the statement posted by the Arctic Bay hamlet.
“I hear the siren blaring every evening at 9:30 p.m.,” confirmed an anonymous source.
Additionally, all non-essential vehicles, including ATVs and snowmobiles are not permitted to be used between 9:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Exceptions will be made only for hunters and travellers, who are “going out or coming back or responding to emergency,” stated the facebook post.
Individuals who break the bylaw will be given a warning by a bylaw officer. After the initial warning, there will be a $50 fine for the first offense. If the offense occurs for a second time the fine will increase to $100.
This bylaw is to remain in effect until May 15, 2020, unless it is renewed by hamlet council.
When Nunavut News asked what is happening in the community amid Covid-19, Arctic Bay's Deputy Mayor Sheena Qaunaq did not mention this new bylaw. The comments on the post in the Ikpiarjuk News Facebook group have also been turned off.
“The atmosphere in our community is quite calm and quiet, people are distancing themselves as much as they can,” said Qaunaq, adding “I notice it when I'm at the store.”
Currently, the hamlet is working on finalizing the community’s emergency plan for Covid-19.
Qaunaq also shared the student breakfast program, which is run by a few teachers, is running again. Each morning teachers prepare food packages, which students can pick up outside the c-hall, she explained.
Food hampers have also been given to families during Covid-19.
Presently, the hamlet is organizing a food hamper drive to every household.
“We have ordered some food to make sure there will be enough for everyone,” said the deputy mayor.
“There seems to be enough food at the stores for everyone, the managers have been doing a great job making sure there is enough meat and produce for the community.”
Nunavut New reached out to Qaunaq to comment about the temporary bylaw, but did not hear back.