MNO COVID-19 Updates
Press Release
March 15, 2020
The health and well-being of Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) staff, citizens, families and communities throughout the province is our utmost priority and therefore out of an abundance of caution and as part of the effort to reduce the likelihood of workplace or community transmission of COVID-19, the Senior Management Team is directing all Metis Nation of Ontario employees to work remotely between March 16 – April 3, 2020. Read more here
Friday March 13, 2020:
The MNO has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely to ensure that informed decisions are being made based upon the advice and direction of health professionals as we would with any other issue which has the potential impacts on the well-being of Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizens, families, communities and staff throughout the province. After much consideration, the MNO has made the difficult decision to postpone several upcoming meetings:
- Regional Consultation Committee Training (Toronto) originally scheduled for March 24
- Collaborative Forum with Industry (Toronto) originally scheduled for March 25
- Collaborative Forum with Government (Toronto) originally scheduled for March 26
- MNO All Staff Training Session (Muskoka) originally scheduled for March 31-April 1
These measures are being taken as a precaution, given the nature of the travel requirements and the size of the groups involved. It is important that we consider not only the participants attending MNO meetings but their families and communities when they return home.
Thursday March 12, 2020:
Today, after much consideration, the MNO has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 MNO Infinite Reach March Break Camp taking place March 15 – 20. It is not in the best interest of our Métis participants, their families and communities and our staff to move forward with the Camp. This decision was not made lightly as the MNO knows how meaningful this camp is to our youth. This measure is being taken as a precaution, particularly given the nature of the travel requirements and the length of the stay before return travel. It is important that we consider not only the participants attending the camp but their families and communities when they return home.
Thursday March 12, 2020:
In light of ongoing developments with regard to the COVID-19 outbreak the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) has established an internal emergency response team that is meeting daily to assess and make informed decisions in the best interests of MNO citizens, families, communities and staff throughout the province. The team is actively monitoring information from the World Health Organization, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Government of Ontario as well as other resources, to ensure we have the most up-to-date information available.
Recently Public Health Sudbury & Districts has identified a man in his late 50’s who has tested positive for COVID-19. This person attended the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Conference held in Toronto, Ontario from March 1-4, 2020. We are aware that a small number of individuals who attended the PDAC Conference in Toronto also attended the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Conference that took place in the National Capital Region earlier this week. The risk to MNO employees and citizens is extremely low, but in the interest of public health and transparency we are sharing this information.
Precautions
The MNO considers its employee’s and citizen’s health and welfare a top priority. We do recommend carrying hand sanitizer and practicing good prevention measures. Currently, public health advice remains:
- For people to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-hand sanitizer;
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze;
- If you don’t have a tissue sneeze or cough in your sleeve; and
- To stay at home when you are sick.
The MNO additionally recommends sanitizing keyboards, laptops, and cellular devices regularly.
Impact on the MNO
The health and well-being of Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) staff, citizens, families and communities throughout the province is our utmost priority and therefore out of an abundance of caution and as part of the effort to reduce the likelihood of workplace or community transmission of COVID-19, the Senior Management Team is directing all Métis Nation of Ontario employees to work remotely between March 16 – April 3, 2020. More here
Further Information:
If you suspect you have symptoms of COVID-19, call Telehealth Ontario for medical advice at 1-866-797-0000 (TTY 1-866-797-0007) or Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705-522-9200 (toll-free 1-866-522-9200). Be sure to mention your symptoms and your travel history including the countries you visited. If you are ill and must visit a health care professional call ahead and tell them that you have a respiratory illness. You may be asked to wear a mask while waiting for or receiving treatment to prevent the spread of illness. If you need immediate medical attention call 911 and state your travel history and symptoms.
For more information:
- Sudbury’s top doc says local COVID-19 case was not infectious at PDAC
- First case of COVID-19 reported by Public Health Sudbury & Districts
- Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Outbreak Update
- Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Symptoms and Treatment
- World Health Organization Q&A on Coronaviruses (COVID-19)
- Ministry of Health Information on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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