2 northern Manitoba First Nations taking measures to combat COVID-19 outbreaks – CBC

Chemawawin restricting community access; Bunibonibee holds mass vaccine clinic

Apr 14, 2021

The security team staffing the highway checkpoint leading into Chemawawin Cree Nation and Easterville is turning away anyone who doesn’t live or work in the community.

“No exceptions,” said security supervisor Quentin Mink. “We take the spread of COVID-19 very seriously.”

Everyone else gets their temperature taken, identity recorded and COVID survey done before they’re permitted entry.

The area about 400 kilometres north of Winnipeg has been under total lockdown since late March when one case of the virus led to exponential spread throughout the community of about 1,500.

There are 136 cases and 238 contacts identified, as well as three people in hospital, said Chief Clarence Easter. Masks are mandatory everywhere and a stay-at-home order is in place, although he says that’s been difficult to enforce.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/chemawawin-bunibonibee-covid-outbreaks-1.5988191