Nunavut lifts Public Health Emergency as of April 11

Press Release

April 06, 2022

Iqaluit, Nunavut (April 6, 2022) – John Main, Minister of Health, today announced that the government of Nunavut will be lifting the Public Health Emergency, effective April 11. As a result, all remaining public health restrictions across Nunavut are suspended.

“For the past two years, Nunavummiut have had to make many sacrifices to protect our communities from the harms of COVID-19. Today, we have learned much about this virus and have the tools, such as testing options and vaccines to help reduce the risk,” said Minister Main. “In consultation with Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), the Government of Nunavut believes it is safe to lift the Public Health Emergency and manage COVID-19 as we would any other infectious disease.”

Effective April 11, 2022:

Masks are no longer mandatory for the public.
- Private businesses may continue to require staff and patrons to wear masks.
- The Government of Nunavut will require masks at all GN offices.
- Masks are mandatory at all health facilities, Elders’ facilities, Akausisarvik, outpatient clinics and Iqaluit Public Health.
There are no restrictions on gathering sizes.
There are no restrictions, such as capacity and distancing requirements, on businesses, recreation facilities, museums, libraries, and galleries.
Isolation is no longer mandatory for COVID-19 positive individuals. When an individual is sick or has COVID-19, it is recommended they stay home.
The Government of Nunavut will no longer be reporting COVID-19 vaccine or case data outside of its regular requirements on reportable diseases.
Medical Isolation hubs are closed.
- Medical travellers who test positive for COVID-19 will be accommodated with alternative isolation according to the rules of the jurisdiction they are in.

“While there are no longer restrictions in place, COVID-19 is not gone,” said Dr. Michael Patterson, CPHO. “I encourage all Nunavummiut to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves, their families, and their communities. This means staying home when you are sick, wearing a mask when appropriate and avoiding gatherings if you have been exposed to COVID-19. I encourage all Nunavummiut to get their vaccine. Vaccination is our best defense against the virus.”

COVID-19 vaccines are available across the territory for all Nunavummiut aged 5 years and older. Contact your local health centre or public health unit to book an appointment.

The Government of Nunavut’s COVID-19 isolation hamper support program will remain in place until the end of May. Nunavummiut can email IsolationSupports@gov.nu.ca to start the process.

Until further notice, the Government of Nunavut will maintain its information hotlines to support Nunavummiut. For COVID-19 inquiries, including information on symptoms, testing, treatment, and advice for preventing the spread of the virus, please call
1-888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.

For information on travel regulations, please call the travel hotline at 1-833-524-0735 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday.

For general COVID-19 questions, please do not call the health centres, hospital, or public health units unless it is an emergency. For general information on COVID-19 and travel, please use the hotlines listed above. If you are symptomatic and require a test, please call the COVID-19 hotline, or use a self-rapid antigen test available in territory through the Northwest Company.

Minister Main, Margaret Nakashuk, Minister of Human Resources, and Dr. Patterson will hold a press briefing over zoom on Thursday, April 7 at 11 a.m.

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Media Contact:

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

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