Nunavut suspends Common Travel Area Churchill

Press Release

Nunavut  –Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Michael Patterson, has suspended Nunavut’s Common Travel Area with Churchill, Manitoba, effective immediately.

“Cases of COVID-19 are rising in Manitoba and due to the increased risk of exposure to the virus, the travel bubble between Churchill and Nunavut is now closed,” said Dr. Patterson. Common Travel Area travel authorization letters between Churchill and Nunavut are no longer valid. Anyone currently in Churchill must receive authorization to return to Nunavut.”

All unvaccinated travellers who departed Churchill into Nunavut on or after September 12 must isolate immediately for 14 days from the day they entered the territory. Vaccinated travellers who returned to Nunavut from Churchill after September 12 must wear a mask and monitor for symptoms for 14 days.

Vaccinated travellers travelling with unvaccinated dependents can apply for entry to Nunavut by emailing a vaccinated travellers declaration form to [email protected]. Non-Nunavut residents must also supply proof of vaccination.

Unvaccinated travellers will have to stay at a Government of Nunavut isolation site in southern Canada before returning to Nunavut. Email an isolation reservation request form to [email protected] to schedule your stay. Isolation is free to those travelling to Nunavut. The GN is not responsible for travel costs associated with changes to public health measures.

For more information on travel authorization and to find the necessary forms, go to https://gov.nu.ca/health/information/travel-and-isolation.

Vaccine continues to be available across the territory. Call your health centre to make an appointment or walk into Iqaluit Public Health every weekday for Moderna (18+) and Wednesday for Pfizer (ages 12 to 17). Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community.

Anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 is advised to call the COVID-hotline at 1-888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST to arrange testing or notify their community health centre right away. Please do not go to the health centre in person, and immediately isolate at home for 14 days.

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Media Contact:

Chris Puglia
Acting Manager, Communications
Department of Health
867-975-5949
[email protected]

IHT5