VUNTUT GWITCHIN GOVERNMENT Government of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
P.O. Box 94, Phone: (867)966-3261 Old Crow, Yukon Fax: (867)966-3800 Y0B 1N0 Web: www.vgfn.ca
Vuntut Gwitchin Government Enacts Community Emergency Act Mandatory Safety Measures in Place to Keep Community Safe
(Old Crow, Yukon – June 17, 2021) In an effort to keep our isolated community safe from the active outbreak of COVID-19 in the Yukon, the Vuntut Gwitchin Chief and Council passed a resolution to enact the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Community Emergency Act.
The Act gives Vuntut Gwitchin Government the authority to make certain public health measures enforceable by law. Considering the high and rapidly increasing number of active cases in the territory, Chief and Council decided to declare a community emergency and enact the Act to provide our citizens, especially our Elders and most vulnerable, the utmost protection from potential spread of the virus.
The following mandatory measures are now in place in Old Crow. • All Old Crow residents must stay home and isolate until the risk level decreases. • Non-essential travel into Old Crow is prohibited. Only authorized persons can enter the community. • A curfew is now in effect in Old Crow from 10pm-5am • Gatherings of any kind are prohibited, except between established two household bubbles. • Old Crow residents who develop cold or flu symptoms, or signs of COVID-19, must call the nursing station and isolate for 14 days. • Mandatory testing for residents who have two or more symptoms of COVID-19, or who health care practitioners decide requires testing. • Old Crow residents cannot leave their house for 14 days if: o They develop any cold or flu symptoms, or signs of COVID- 19. o They may have been in close contact with someone who has or is being tested for COVID-19. o They attended a gathering outside of their established two house-hold bubble. o They were travelling outside of Old Crow.
“We are proud of how hard our community has worked to keep each other safe over the past year,” says Vuntut Gwitchin Government Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm. “87 per cent of adults in Old Crow are fully vaccinated so we have strong protection, but we know vaccines aren’t 100 per cent effective, especially against variants that are currently spreading in the Yukon. This recent outbreak is showing how quickly this virus can spread if we let our guard down, so we are asking our community to once again come together to help protect our Elders and other vulnerable members.”
The mandatory measures are in addition to the following community health precaution that
VGG Government of VGFN VUNTUT GWITCHIN GOVERNMENT Government of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
we continue to ask all community members to follow. • Keeping a 2-metre distance from others when outside their home • Wearing a mask in indoor public spaces and when physical distancing is not possible outside • Washing hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds; or using a hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol when hand washing is not possible • Avoiding non-essential travel as much as possible and taking precautions against COVID-19 when travelling outside Old Crow. • A curfew is now in place from 10pm to 5am and there should be no people in public areas in the community of Old Crow during this time
The new mandatory measures will help protect our people especially the vulnerable members such as elders, those who have children and/or health issues. These protocols are to be taken seriously and practiced diligently to save and protect lives.
The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Community Emergency Act can be viewed on our website: https://www.vgfn.ca/legislation/community%20emergency%20act.pdf
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For Media Inquiries Please Contact:
Jordan Peterson Director, Intergovernmental Relations & Governance Vuntut Gwitchin Government [email protected]
VGG Government of VGFN
th JUNE 17 COVID-19 COMMUNITY UPDATE Yukon COVID-19 Cases COVID-19 Risk in Old Crow as of Wed. June 16 Active 49 LOW • 14 or less active cases in the Yukon Recovered 87 • No COVID-19 exposure in Old Crow Total 136 MEDIUM • 15 or more active cases in the Yukon, Vaccine Count and/or as of Wed. June 16 • Old Crow resident(s) potentially 1st Dose 30,144 exposed to COVID-19 HIGH • 40+ active cases in Whitehorse 2nd Dose 26,135 and/or Total 56,279 • Active COVID-19 case in Old Crow
News______COVID-19 RISK ‘HIGH’ IN OLD • Testing is mandatory for residents CROW with two or more COVID-19. symptoms or who health care workers Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and rising decide need testing. cases across the territory, Old Crow is • Always wear a mask in all indoor now at the high-risk level. Until further spaces outside your home. notice, everyone must follow these • Stay a caribou-distance (six feet) mandatory measures to protect our apart from others in public or outside. Elders and vulnerable citizens: If you have any symptoms of COVID- • Everyone is encouraged to stay 19 stay home and call the nursing home and isolate. station to prevent any potential • A curfew is now in effect from 10pm infection in our community – even if to 5am in Old Crow you are fully vaccinated. • Travel into Old Crow is strictly prohibited unless authorized by There are no cases of COVID-19 in Old Chief and Council. Crow. • Gatherings are restricting to two household bubble. Only contact We are being told to prepare for more people in your bubble. new cases in the coming days. Our community is well-protected – 87% of • Stay home and call the nursing adults are fully vaccinated – but COVID- station if you’re sick at 966-4444, even if it’s a headache or the sniffles. 19 can spread even when you have no symptoms, or mild ones like a headache.
VUNTUT GWITCHIN GOVERNMENT
Government of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
Some of the new cases were caused by SERVICE CHANGES a COVID-19 variant, which can infect people who are fully vaccinated. VGG Building The Vuntut Gwitchin Community All VGG buildings are closed to Emergency Act introduced in the winter essential staff only. Call 966-3261 if you need to contact someone. has been enacted right now making these and other measures mandatory. Reduced Fuel-sale Hours Fines could be issued for not following the rules. Please continue doing the right Due to the current COVID-19 situation thing to keep our community safe by fuel sale hours will be reduced to: staying home. Monday, Wednesday, Friday Getting vaccinated is the best way to 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm protect yourself and our community. Questions about health, vaccines and Entrance to the finance office will be by symptoms? Call the nursing station: 966- the side of the administrative building. 4444. Because most adults in Old Crow are Grocery Assistance for vaccinated, we have good protection Residents Self-Isolating against the virus. However, this latest The RCMP are once again assisting with outbreak highlights the importance of grocery deliveries for any Old Crow following all precautions, even after we’re residents who are voluntarily self- fully vaccinated. isolating or who have to self-isolate
EXPOSURE NOTICES Please call 966-2677 if you need to set- up a grocery delivery because you are in The outbreak involved several groups in self-isolation. Whitehorse including: Do not call the emergency line to • graduating Whitehorse high school arrange grocery drop-off. students and their close contacts; • two classes at Elijah Smith Elementary School and; • adults who have socialized at parties or in bars.
Please self-isolate and call the nursing station at 966-4444 for instructions if you recently attended a formal or informal grad event.
VGG Government of VGFN VUNTUT GWITCHIN GOVERNMENT Government of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
P.O. Box 94, Phone: (867)966-3261 Old Crow, Yukon Fax: (867)966-3800 Y0B 1N0 Web: www.vgfn.ca
June 16, 2021 COVID-19 TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR OLD CROW
Vuntut Gwitchin Government is responding to the current outbreak of COVID-19 in the Yukon with an abundance of caution, to provide all our citizens and community members the utmost protection from any possible spread of the virus.
Per our Vuntut Gwitchin Government COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Policy, the risk level of COVID-19 in Old Crow is now high, as there more than 40 active cases of COVID-19 in the Yukon. The following travel restrictions are being implemented.
1. All non-essential travel into Old Crow is strictly prohibited. a. Only persons authorized by Vuntut Gwitchin Government may enter Old Crow.
2. Any authorized persons arriving in Old Crow are required to self- isolate for 14 days upon their arrival.
Please help us keep our community safe by following these measures. We will continue updating Air North, Yukon’s Airline, and other partners as this situation evolves.
VGG Government of VGFN COVID-19 Community Update Old Crow Entering High-Risk Level
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and rising cases across the territory, Old Crow is in the high risk level.
The Vuntut Gwitchin Community Emergency Act has been enacted. Fines could be issued for not following the rules. Please continue doing the right thing to keep our community safe by staying home. Please follow all public health measures to protect our community's most vulnerable.
Public Health Measures Everyone must stay home to prevent an outbreak. Do not leave your house until the risk level decreases. It is too risky for anyone to have a gathering right now. You are not allowed to visit in- person with people outside their home, unless they are in your two-household bubble. There is a mandatory curfew from 10pm-5am If you start feeling sick, even if it just feels like the sniffles, we need you to call the nursing station right away at 966-4444 and stay home for two weeks. You will also be required to stay home for 14 days if: You’re living with someone who is being tested for COVID-19 or has received a positive test result. You’re coming back from travel out of Old Crow And if you attended any gatherings
Coming Together as Gwich'in By Staying Apart LOCAL EVENT CANCELLATIONS
We are sorry to inform that the following list of events have been cancelled in efforts to restrict the spread of COVID-19 in our community. • National Aboriginal Day (June 21, 2021) • Vuntut Development Corporation Annual General Meeting (June 24, 2021)
Questions about health, vaccines and symptoms? Call the Health Center: 966-4444
COMING TOGETHER AS GWICH’IN BY STAYING APART COMMUNITY SERVICE CHANGES REDUCED FUEL-SALE HOURS
Due to the current COVID-19 situation fuel sale hours will be reduced to: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Entrance to the finance office will be by the side of the administrative building.
GROCERY ASSISTANCE FOR RESIDENTS SELF-ISOLATING
The RCMP are once again assisting with grocery deliveries for any Old Crow residents who are voluntarily self-isolating or who have to self-isolate
Please call 966-2677 if you need to set-up a grocery delivery because you are in self- isolation.
Do not call the emergency line to arrange grocery drop-off.
VUNTUT GWITCHIN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS
All VGG buildings are closed. Please call 966-3261 to make an appointment if you need to see us. VUNTUT GWITCHIN GOVERNMENT
Government of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
Vuntut Gwitchin Government COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Matrix This is an internal policy document developed by Vuntut Gwitchin Chief and Council to outline when and what voluntary and/or mandatory public health measures will be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Vuntut Gwitchin reserves the right to adapt, change, or modify actions in this plan at any time in accordance with the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Community Emergency Act. Staying Safe in All Risk Levels During low-, medium-, and high-risk levels all Vuntut Gwitchin citizens are encouraged to take precautions against COVID-19 by: • Physically distancing: Keeping a 2-metre distance – staying one caribou apart – from others when outside their home, or outside their social “bubble” • Wearing a mask in indoor public spaces and when physical distancing is not possible outside • Avoiding hugging, shaking hands, or touching people outside their household or social bubble • Washing hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds; or using a hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol when hand washing is not possible • Staying home when they are sick, or feel unwell, even if they feel they could “power through” • Avoiding in-person visits with Elders, citizens with health conditions, and people outside their social bubble • Avoiding non-essential travel as much as possible and taking precautions against COVID-19 when travelling outside Old Crow. Risk Level Situation/Triggers Public Measures VGG policy response /comments Low • 14 or less active • Old Crow residents can create a • VGG offices and buildings open cases in the Yukon. social “bubble” between two with physical distancing and • No Old Crow households. Members of these masking rules in place. resident exposed to two households should only • Anyone returning from travel COVID-19. socialize in person with each outside of the Yukon is expected to other. send the VGG COVID-19 o Once two households are coordinator a copy of the self- in a bubble, they cannot isolation plan they provided to
June 17, 2021 1 VGG Government of VGFN
VUNTUT GWITCHIN GOVERNMENT
Government of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
gather with people in Yukon Government upon arrival to different households. the territory. • Old Crow residents should stay home if they are sick, even if it is just a mild cold. A sick person should not leave their home until they are healthy again. • Old Crow residents should be isolating for 14 days if: o They may have been in close contact with someone who has or is being tested for COVID-19. o They are returning from travel outside the Yukon.
Medium • 15 or more active • Old Crow residents encouraged to • Council may, at their discretion, (Voluntary cases in the Yukon stay home as much as possible. enact the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation measures) and/or • Social gatherings are Community Emergency Act, to make • Old Crow discouraged. Old Crow residents certain public health measures resident(s) possibly can visit with people in their two- mandatory for the safety of its exposed to COVID- household bubble but should be citizens. 19. self-isolating as much as possible. • VGG buildings closed. VGG office • Old Crow residents that have any open by appointment only. cold or flu symptoms, or signs of • VGG staff required to wear masks. COVID-19, should immediately • Capital projects workers isolated isolate for 14 days and call the from community members. nursing station. • Anyone returning from travel • Old Crow residents should be outside of the Yukon is expected to isolating for 14 days if: send the VGG COVID-19 coordinator a copy of the self- June 17, 2021 2 VGG Government of VGFN
VUNTUT GWITCHIN GOVERNMENT
Government of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
o They may have been in isolation plan they provided to close contact with Yukon Government upon arrival to someone who has or is the territory. being tested for COVID-19. o They develop any cold or flu symptoms, or signs of COVID-19. o They attended a gathering. o They are travelling from Whitehorse or a Yukon community with more than one active case (unless they are an essential worker). o They are returning from travel outside the Yukon. Medium Council determines that The following measures may become • The Vuntut Gwitchin Emergency Act is (mandatory some voluntary mandatory at Council’s discretion. enacted to make certain public restrictions) measures need to be • Social gatherings are prohibited. health measures enforceable by law made mandatory to Old Crow residents can visit with including, but not limited to, the keep our community people in their two-household measures outlined in the previous safe. Aspects of the bubble but should be self-isolating column. Vuntut Gwitchin as much as possible. • Anyone arriving to Old Crow from Emergency Act come into • Non essential travel to Old Crow travel to Whitehorse or a Yukon force. prohibited community with more than one • Old Crow residents must isolate active case may be required to self- for 14 days if: isolate for 14 days and present a o They may have been in self-isolation plan to the VGG close contact with • Anyone arriving in Old Crow from someone who has or is travel outside of the Yukon is being tested for COVID-19. expected to send the VGG a copy of the self-isolation plan they
June 17, 2021 3 VGG Government of VGFN
VUNTUT GWITCHIN GOVERNMENT
Government of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
o They develop any cold or provided Yukon Government when flu symptoms, or signs of they arrived in the territory. COVID-19. o They attended a gathering. o They are travelling from Whitehorse or a Yukon community with more than one active case (unless they are an essential worker). o They are returning from travel outside the Yukon.
High • 40+ active cases in The following measures become • Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Whitehorse and/or mandatory. Community Emergency Act comes into • Old Crow • All Old Crow residents may only force making mandatory all public resident(s) test gather or visit within a two measures needed to keep the positive for COVID- household bubble and other community safe. 19. gatherings of any kind are strictly • VGG buildings and offices closed. prohibited Staff can be contacted by phone • A curfew from 10pm to 5am is in only. effect • Capital projects workers isolated • Non-essential travel into Old Crow from community members. prohibited. Only authorized • Anyone returning from travel persons can enter the community. outside of Old Crow must be • Old Crow residents who develop authorized by VGG to enter the cold or flu symptoms, or signs of community, required to self-isolate COVID-19, must call the nursing for 14 days, and present a self- station and isolate for 14 days. isolation plan to the VGG • Mandatory testing for residents who have two or more symptoms of COVID-19, or who health care
June 17, 2021 4 VGG Government of VGFN
VUNTUT GWITCHIN GOVERNMENT
Government of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
practitioners decide requires testing. • Old Crow residents cannot leave their house for 14 days if: o They develop any cold or flu symptoms, or signs of COVID-19. o They may have been in close contact with someone who has or is being tested for COVID-19. o They attended a gathering o They were travelling outside of Old Crow.
June 17, 2021 5 VGG Government of VGFN