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Arviat to remain under lockdown; other restrictions eased elsewhere in Nunavut

The increased public health measures to stop the transmission of Covid-19 in Nunavut which took place on Nov. 18 are easing up Wednesday with the exception of a few communities which will still see some additional restrictions in place.

Michael Patterson speaking at a Nov. 6 news conference in the Nunavut Legislature. Photo by Trevor Wright.

“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,” said Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer during a Covid-19 update on Nov. 30.

“My office has assessed the 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.”

The existing restrictions in Arviat will remain in effect for the next two weeks.

Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove will have some restrictions eased but will still have more measures in place than there were prior to the outbreak of Covid-19 in Nunavut.

“In Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet where we do not have any indication of community transmission restrictions will be eased.”

These following measures will apply to the two communities:

-Travel restrictions will be lifted but non-essential travel is not recommended

-Outdoor gatherings are restricted to 50 people, gatherings in homes are restricted to the household plus 10 people

-Masks are strongly recommended

-Indoor hall, conference gatherings, or those within government or Inuit organizations are restricted to 50 people or 50 percent capacity 

-Recreation facilities and gyms are restricted to solo workouts only 

-Libraries can open but not for tours or group gatherings

-Places of worship may open to 50 percent capacity 

-Playgrounds, municipal parks, territorial parks and territorial park reserves may open, however buildings will remain closed

-Arenas, businesses and government offices can open, physical distancing must be maintained 

-Personal service providers with the exception of hairdressers and barbers can open, distancing must be maintained and PPE used upon request

-Food services and licensed establishments can be open for take-out and delivery only

-Schools will move to stage 3 in the Department of Education’s plan

-Taxis can operate with one fare per trip with mandatory masks 

The rest of Nunavut will have the most public health measures eased up prior to the outbreak.

“For the remaining Kivalliq communities, along with Baffin and the Kitikmeot regions where there are no active cases of Covid-19 restrictions will also be eased,” said Patterson.

The following measures will apply to the rest of Nunavut:

-Restaurants and licensed establishments can open, tables must be two metres apart with no more than six people per table

-Elementary schools will be opened, middle and high schools will combine classroom and remote learning

-Nunavut Arctic College will open with reduced capacity with mandatory masks 

-Outdoor gatherings are restricted to 50 people, gatherings in homes are restricted to the household plus 15 people

-Masks are strongly recommended in situations where they are not mandatory

-Public swimming pools, recreation centres and gyms are open to solo workouts or lane swimming, hot tubs and saunas may open

-Indoor hall, conference gatherings, or those within government or Inuit organizations are restricted to 50 people or 50 percent capacity 

-Theatres may open to 50 people or 50 percent capacity 

-Libraries, galleries and museums may open with group sizes of no more than 10

Anyone who has reason to believe they have been exposed to Covid-19 is advised to call the Covid-hotline at 1-888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST, or notify their community health centre right away, and immediately isolate at home for 14 days. Please do not go to the health centre in person.