Increased Public Health measures in Coral Harbour

Press Release

Iqaluit, Nunavut (October 8, 2021) – Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, today announced increased public health measures in Coral Harbour effective immediately.

“There is a significant increase to risk of exposure to COVID-19 following memorial gatherings that were held in Coral Harbour over a few days in late September and early October,” said Dr. Patterson. “These new measures are needed to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the community. I must remind everyone that no one should be visiting the homes of people who are under isolation for high-risk exposure to COVID-19 and no one with confirmed COVID-19 or under isolation orders should be visiting other households, walking about in the community, or going to public events.” Anyone who is not vaccinated and left Coral Harbour on or after September 21 should isolate for 14 days from the date of departure.

Anyone who is fully vaccinated should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the date of departure. Anyone in Nunavut who attended household gatherings in Coral Harbour on or after September 29 should isolate immediately for 14 days. Effective immediately, all travel to and from Coral Harbour is restricted. Anyone wishing to leave or enter the community, with the exception of fully vaccinated individuals who already received a vaccine travel exemption letter, must have authorization from the CPHO. Travel authorizations can be obtained by email CPHOtravelrequests@gov.nu.ca. Medical travel is not affected.

Additional public health measures include:

Outdoor gatherings are limited to 5 people.
Indoor gatherings in dwellings are restricted to 5 people (for emergencies only), plus household members.
Indoor public gatherings, including places of worship, gyms, fitness centres, libraries, galleries are not allowed.
Fitness centres, arenas, parks and playgrounds are closed.
All non-essential businesses including non-essential GN and hamlet offices, and personal services are closed.
Restaurants and licensed establishments are restricted to take-out only. Maximum 10 people in line.
Group counselling sessions are not allowed.
Long-term care and elders’ facilities are closed to visitors and residents are restricted to the grounds of the facilities, which includes health centres.
Schools and childcare facilities are closed.

Anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms is advised to call the COVID hotline at 1-888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST, or notify their community health centre right away by telephone. Please do not go to the health centre in person.

COVID-19 vaccines are still available to all Nunavummiut aged 12 and older. Contact your health centre to make an appointment. Iqaluit Public Health takes vaccine walk-ins for Pfizer (ages 12 to 17) on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-ins for Moderna (18 and older) are held Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For all the latest information on COVID-19 in Nunavut, go to: https://www.gov.nu.ca/

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Media Contact:

Chris Puglia
A/Manager of Communications
Department of Health
867-975-5949
cpuglia@gov.nu.ca

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