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:
Justice Minister David Akeeagok said the territory has openings for correctional staff at its facilities. Several facilities currently have COVID-19 cases that are affecting staff.
Two years after Calgary city council held its longest public hearing in the city's history, another marathon session began on Monday to tackle the same contentious subject: blanket rezoning.
Quebec resident Antoine Forest was one of the pilots killed in the Sunday night crash at New York's LaGuardia airport, according to Radio-Canada sources.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford's cellphone records took centre stage as the provincial legislature resumed sitting Monday for the first time since December, with the opposition accusing the premier of having something to hide.
The P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation hosted its annual heritage awards, recognizing Islanders who help maintain the island's culture and traditions.
A new independent review of Yukon’s education system is receiving pushback from advocates.
The RCMP has not recruited enough new officers or effectively assigned its members to meet its operational needs, according to a new report from the auditor general — raising concerns about public safety across the country.
Oil prices fell Monday morning after President Donald Trump said the U.S. would hold off on striking Iran’s energy infrastructure amid productive talks between the two countries.
Premier Doug Ford says his government plans to give Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport special designation that would allow the province to bypass municipal and provincial laws as it pushes to expand the runway downtown.
Jenelle Hughes says she worries every time her two older children take their car to get to Fanshawe College in London, Ont., from their home in Dutton.
Oil prices fell Monday morning after President Donald Trump said the U.S. would hold off on striking Iran’s energy infrastructure amid productive talks between the two countries.
While spring technically started late last week, Newfoundland and Labrador isn't free from winter weather just yet.
The Sudbury School Bus Consortium is suspending all school buses in Greater Sudbury as the community continues to clean up following a major storm.
Two large corporate landlords owning a combined 9,008 rental units in Halifax are reporting smaller annual increases in their average rents for 2025 than the previous year.