Ban on indoor gatherings Outdoor gatherings limited to 10 people, some types of businesses ordered to close 1257+:(677(55,725,(6 Wrigley may barricade: chief Volume 74 Issue 49 MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020 $.95 (plus GST) Eggs for seniors in Hay River Behchoko bones up back-up health-care workers Tulita holds radio funeral for beloved Elder Birthday parades take hold in Hay River Paul Bickford/NNSL photo Sandra Lester, vice-chair of the Hay River Seniors' Society, distributing 60 dozen eggs to seniors on April 2. The weekly donation from Polar Egg is for seniors staying at home because of the Covid-19 crisis. Publication mail Contract #40012157 "We're sitting ducks here. We have no authority to govern our community." 7 71605 00200 2 –Tuktoyaktuk Mayor Erwin Elias says NWT residents should have to self-isolate before returning to the territory, not after, page 10. 2 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, April 13, 2020 news NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, April 13, 2020 3 Did we get it wrong? News/North is committed to getting facts and names right. With that goes a commitment to acknowledge mistakes and run corrections. If you spot an error in News/North, call (867) 873-4031 and ask to speak to an editor, or email editorial@ nnsl.com. We'll get a correction or clarification in as soon as we can. NEWS Briefs Legislature to resume May 20 MLAs will return to the legislative assem- bly on May 20 after ending their sitting early to tackle Covid-19 in their respective constituen- cies last month. The legislative assembly is looking at differ- ent ways to reconvene, spokesperson Danielle Mager said over email. That could involve lim- iting the number of members in the chamber, or conducting business online. In the meantime, all 11 regular MLAs meet three times a week to teleconference as the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight. So far, the committee has passed several motions, including a request that the government enforce a formal pause on evic- tions and provide relief for Northern airlines. – Nick Pearce Inuvik men facing charges after crack-cocaine bust Inuvik At 1:54 a.m. April 1, police received a complaint about a disturbance at a residence on Boot Lake Road. Upon arriving at the residence, police discovered two men in pos- session of "Canadian currency and drug para- phernalia." NNSL file photo Police investigated the home and quickly discovered an undisclosed amount of crack- TERRITORIAL PARKS WON'T OPEN cocaine in addition to the paraphernalia and Normally available for camping by reservation May 15, the NWT's territorial parks will remain closed until further money. notice. An announcement said the closures are a part of the territory's efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19. Walking "Inuvik RCMP is committed to keeping our trails within parks remain open but residents are asked to keep six feet apart and pick up after their pets. community safe and deterring crime," stated Staff Sgt. Grant Thom. "We will not tolerate outside drug dealers coming into our commun- ity to prey upon our vulnerable people." Adar Mahad Mohamed, 25, from Saskatoon, has been charged with one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, one count of pos- session of a controlled substance, one count of Indoor gatherings possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and three counts of fail to comply. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Yellowknife on April 5. Aaron Kay, 38, from Inuvik, faces charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance and pos- session of property obtained by crime over banned in NWT $5,000. He has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Inuvik New restrictions on what businesses can operate, too on Aug. 31. by Simon Whitehouse this unprecedented threat." Friday's measures included closure orders – Eric Bowling Northern News Services Anything that brings together people who directed at tour operators, bars and night- NWT don't live together – including things like clubs, dine-in portions of restaurants, theatres, No commitment on internet The Government of the Northwest Ter- house parties, funerals, meetings, feasts, bon- gyms, fitness centres, art galleries, bottle ritories announced a ban Friday on all indoor fires, church services or team sports – will be depots and personal services establishments, overages break come May gatherings, effective the following day. banned Thom said. such as hair salons and spas. Northerners stuck inside during the Covid-19 The order came in a news conference led This was to take effect on Saturday, April pandemic may be streaming and binge-watching by Dr. Kami Kandola, chief public health 11 at noon. Kandola also banned any outdoor Strict measures on oil and gas, mines Tiger King without fear of exorbitant overage officer; Katrina Nokleby, minister of Industry, gatherings of more than 10 people. There are also strict measures to be imple- fees for now but that luxury might not be avail- Tourism and Infrastructure; and Diane Thom, According to a news release issued Friday, mented on mining and oil and gas sites. able come May. minister of Health and Social Services. a gathering is defined as "a group of people This includes screening of transient work- Last month, internet provider Northwestel The three introduced increased emergency of any size who do not live in the same ers when they arrive in the NWT and when waived data overage fees for residential custom- measures to fight the spread of the corona- household who are not able to maintain social they depart, and follow-up calls with those ers until the end of April. The company also virus pandemic that took effect over the (physical) distance indoors." that leave the territory, Nokleby said. doubled internet usage caps in satellite com- weekend with legal enforcement for those that Kandola said the most important thing Nokleby added that southern workers munities, including Colville Lake, Gameti, Lut- do not comply. residents can do to stem the spread of Covid- would be segregated from Northern workers sel K’e, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Samba K’e, Earlier in the week, the GNWT announced 19 is to practice social distancing, or staying where possible. Ulukhaktok and Wekweeti. But it’s not clear its intent to back up its orders with an NWT six feet apart from others. This order came into effect Friday, April that the Bell Canada subsidiary will continue Compliance Taskforce. "We all need to keep our social circles 10 at noon. with the waiver. With Friday's emergency measures, offi- small," she said. "I recognize this is going to "The situation is evolving quickly across “As of today we have not made any addition- cials threatened that it will have the power be a huge adjustment for (NWT residents). It Canada which is why these additional meas- al applications to the Canadian Radio-television to "track down and investigate complaints" is not lost on me that this will affect mental ures announced today are needed," Nokleby and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) concerning violations of the Public Health Act health." said. on residential usage,” Andrew Anderson, North- or directives made by Kandola. She said people should get creative, point- "By implementing these measures we con- westel spokesperson Wednesday. "Our message has always been that public ing to churches holding online sermons, tinue to ensure the right precautions are in As of press time, a petition for affordable and health measures will get stronger before they groups of Facebook and virtual kitchen par- place from the risks of having southern transi- accessible internet launched by a Yellowknife let up," Thom said. ties. ent workers from entering the territory." resident had garnered 1,025 signatures, and "With the leadership of the Chief Public "Go outdoors," she said. "This is a healthy As of the end of day Friday, there were five increased its initial goal of 1,000 to 1,500. Health Officer we have moved forward with way to decrease stress." confirmed cases in the territory with 1,397 The CRTC has declared high-speed internet some of the most aggressive policies in the "We are in this for months, not weeks, and completed tests. Of those there were 1,392 an essential service, vital to one’s quality of life," country. if we're not all on the same team, it could be that were negative, according to the Depart- Melaw Nakeh'ko, the petition author, wrote. "While we provided advice weeks ago, we much longer," Thom said. ment of Health and Social Services website. – Blair McBride are confident that it is necessary to put legal To those who ignore these new orders and To date are also 77 tests pending and one weight behind these measures to respond to measures, Thom said: "We're coming for you." recovered case. 4 NEWS/NORTH NWT, Monday, April 13, 2020 communities Scant services leave Wrigley vulnerable 'As soon as there's a case in Simpson we'll barricade ourselves,' chief says by Blair McBride in Wrigley have been tested moose. They keep away from Northern News Services for Covid-19. The support town. It keeps them busy. Wrigley/NWT worker in the health centre But I tell them when they're For residents of Wrigley, administers the tests. out there they have to keep their main connection to the Moses said everyone their distance, they can't hud- outside world is the Macken- seems healthy for now. dle up together. They know zie Highway, which ends at "The health authority has and they're doing their part.