Nunavut to ease public health measures in 15 communities
CBC
Fifteen Nunavut communities will be under less-restrictive public health measures starting Monday as their COVID-19 case counts subside.
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Michael Patterson announced the changes Tuesday morning during a virtual COVID-19 news conference.
Health measures are easing in Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Clyde River, Gjoa Haven, Grise Fjord, Kimmirut, Kinngait, Kugluktuk, Naujaat, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq, Sanirajak, Whale Cove and Igloolik.
In all those except Igloolik, up to 50 people will be able to gather outside. Indoor gathering restrictions are changing so 10 people plus household members can gather.
In Igloolik, those numbers are 25 for outdoor and five for indoor gatherings.
Other changes include increased capacity for restaurants, gyms and other facilities.
Restrictions are not changing in Arctic Bay, Cambridge Bay, Coral Harbour, Iqaluit, Kugaaruk, Pangnirtung, Rankin Inlet, Resolute Bay, Sanikiluaq and Taloyoak.
Nunavut has 352 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday. Patterson said about 90 per cent of those are the Omicron variant, though Nunavut is still seeing some cases of the Delta variant.
Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok said the Department of Economic Development and Transportation has started distributing rapid tests to critical businesses in Iqaluit and in other communities. Those include taxis, food retail workers and emergency home repair businesses, meat and fish services, cargo operators and airport maintainers.
"In the coming weeks, as we receive more rapid access tests from the Government of Canada, we will expand distribution to all businesses that want them," he said.
Patterson said it's important to maintain those services because outbreaks there would have a greater impact on communities than other services such as schools.
He noted schools are the next priority after businesses.
Missed Tuesday's update? Watch it here:
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