NT Government: Public Health Emergency Extended

Press Release

Minister of Health and Social Services, Julie Green has extended the territory-wide Public Health Emergency under the Northwest Territories’ Public Health Act on the advice of Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) Dr. Kami Kandola

The latest extension continues through October 10, 2020.

With record levels of COVID-19 transmission being reported in neighbouring jurisdictions, the risk to the Northwest Territories is increased. The extension of the Public Health Emergency is necessary in order to respond decisively to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Reminders to NWT residents:

  • The GNWT is reminding everyone that travel within the NWT remains restricted upon arrival with limited exceptions. It is an offense to travel within the NWT without an exemption under the Public Health Orders.
  • Everyone entering the NWT is required to self-isolate for 14 days in Yellowknife, Inuvik, Hay River or Fort Smith with few exceptions – no matter how long your trip out of the territory is.
  • Self-isolation is the frontline of our COVID-19 defence. If you’re required to self-isolate, do your part and stick to the self-isolation plan.
  • By keeping physical distance of two metres, keeping our circles and gatherings small, washing our hands, keeping our coughs and sneezes to ourselves, and wearing non-medical masks when it’s difficult to keep physical distance will help keep everyone safer by preventing cases from becoming outbreaks.

Recent COVID-19 NWT Updates:

  • Rapid testing expansion has resulted in considerable improvement in testing return times. Work is continuing on increasing capacity further over the coming weeks.
  • Equipment required for a full-scale-up of wastewater surveillance for roughly half the NWT’s population is expected to arrive in the coming week-and-a-half. Installation and ramp-up will begin shortly after.

Strong and Stable Together:

As the COVID-19 has accelerated across Canada, some provinces are talking about locking down again. The NWT is in a position where we are looking at how to move forward faster with careful considerations of risk because of strong, early response.

Wherever there are challenging outbreaks and community spread, business and society are both challenged.

By staying strong on a gradual, deliberate path forward together, the territory can build the stability we need to accelerate our economic and social recovery.

For more information and to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 in the territory, visit the Government of the Northwest Territories COVID-19 Website at www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/

Media contact:

Mike Westwick

Manager, Communications (COVID-19 Response)

Department of Health and Social Services

Government of the Northwest Territories

Mike_Westwick@gov.nt.ca

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