Dr. Michael Patterson unveiled Nunavut’s reopening plans for the rest of the month during a June 15 press conference.
The chief public health officer will continue to reassess Covid-related health orders every two weeks.
Beginning June 22, personal service providers such as hairdressers and nail salons can reopen. Only one-on-one sessions will be permitted. The facilities must have personal protective equipment (PPE) available for clients and service providers if needed.
Theatres and churches will also be able to reopen.
Lastly, bars and restaurants will be able reopen at half capacity. These establishments must adhere to social distancing measures. The last call for alcohol will be at 9 p.m.
Bars were originally categorized as a high-risk activity in Nunavut’s Path, the GN’s reopening plan, but now fall under medium risk activities.
When asked why this change occurred, Patterson explained, “It gets down to getting into the Liquor Act and trying to sort out ways to limit the high-risk activity involved with bars as opposed to restaurants.”
“And there wasn’t a practical way in the orders to separate the two in the way that we had originally envisioned,” said Patterson.
On June 29, youth centres, day camps and long-term care facilities for visitation purposes will reopen. Only one or two visitors, who are immediate family, will be allowed into long-term care facility at a time.
Patterson said despite forecasting the easing of restrictions for the next two weeks, the possibility of reintroducing or changing these public health measures remains.
“While we are in a position to ease restrictions, we remain vulnerable to the impacts of this global pandemic,” he said.
Nunavummiut are to continue practicing social distancing, washing hands frequently and staying home when sick, said the doctor.