COVID-19 BULLETIN #87 – FURTHER LOOSENING OF RESTRICTIONS

Effective: March 2, 2022 at 6:00pm

Tansi!
It has been a tough couple of years in our community but thanks to the collective efforts of everyone, we have been able to limit the impact of COVID-19 on our community. We have done what we could to protect our children, grandchildren, Elders and every vulnerable individual in our community.

We are all fed-up with COVID-19 and are frustrated with the stringent rules that have been in place. However, we can congratulate ourselves for trying the best we could to follow all the different rules to keep our community safe. Although we continue to have a number of active cases in the community, we are happy to announce that we are moving toward ending the State of Emergency on March 20, 2022.

As we move toward this goal, we must continue to follow the public health fundamentals related to testing, masking and sanitization, but ESPECIALLY VACCINATION! We strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated or boosted as soon as possible as this is the best line of defense against this virus.

All employees and the public will be required to follow the mitigation plans set out by each organization or workplace.

Testing and Travel

  • Fully vaccinated persons and children not yet eligible for vaccination can travel but must provide the FNSOs at the checkstop with proof of a negative test taken within 48 hours of re-entry to the community and will be required to isolate and take additional tests if they develop any cold or flu-like symptoms;
  • Unvaccinated/Not fully vaccinated persons must register at the checkstop prior to leaving and provide the FNSOs at the checkstop with proof of a negative test taken within 48 hours of re-entry to the community and will be required to isolate and take additional tests if they develop any cold or flu-like symptoms;
  • Persons who travel out of the community and test positive will be required to isolate at home or at an isolation unit as directed by public health.

New Isolation Requirements for Positive Cases and Household/Close Contacts

  • Fully vaccinated persons will be required to isolate for 5 days from the first sign of symptoms or the day they were tested as long as symptoms are improving and there is no fever. They must then wear a medical grade mask when in public, avoid going to high risk settings for 10 days and self-monitor as long as they have no fever;
  • Unvaccinated persons positive cases will be required to isolate for 10 days;
  • Unvaccinated household contacts and close contacts are to isolate for 10 days and take a rapid home test on day 2, 7 and 10 after their last contact with a positive case or immediately if they become symptomatic. They must continue to self-monitor for symptoms.
  • All positive cases are to be reported to the local Public Health department for case investigation, which includes screening for high risk and immunocompromised individuals such as Elders, infants/children and eligibility for COVID-19 treatment.
  • IF TOLD TO ISOLATE, YOU MUST STAY IN ISOLATION UNTIL PUBLIC HEALTH RELEASES YOU – NO-ONE WHO IS REQUIRED TO ISOLATE MAY VISIT ANYONE ELSE AND NO-ONE MAY VISIT ANY HOMES IN ISOLATION

Gathering/Visiting

  • Wakes, Funerals, Weddings, Regular Church services and ceremonies are limited to 50% capacity if unvaccinated persons over the age of 12 are in attendance;
  • There are no capacity limits if only fully vaccinated people are in attendance.

Additional Travel/Testing Information

  • Anyone leaving the community for more than 48 hours can obtain rapid tests from Three Rivers Store, OT Gas, provincial testing sites or pharmacies;
  • KTC has a testing site in Thompson at 80 Nelson Road is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm;
  • Home tests are available from the Public Health department or the Nursing Station for anyone who becomes symptomatic or a contact of a positive case;
  • Anyone experiencing severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing please contact the Nursing Station immediately;
  • Please dispose of rapid antigen tests by placing them in a baggie, sealing it and disposing of it in the garbage. Do not carry used antigen tests with you – take a picture if proof is required – sign and date the test. Keep the tests away from children.

COVID-19 cases will continue to be closely monitored and more public health measures could be re-introduced if necessary to protect community health and safety.

ENDING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT HAPPENS OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS – PLEASE CONTINUE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS SO THAT WE CAN KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND PUT THIS PANDEMIC BEHIND US.

Ekosani!