Opaskwayak Cree Nation declares state of emergency, takes steps to keep COVID-19 out of community – CBC
Mar 18, 2020
The Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba has declared a state of emergency and is taking steps to keep COVID-19 from spreading to the community.
Onekanew (Chief) Christian Sinclair said he and other community leaders felt the declaration was prudent as Saskatchewan, whose border is located about 40 kilometres west of the community, declared a state of emergency on Wednesday.
“Knowing that it’s already in the province of Manitoba, it’s eventually going to make its way into northern Manitoba, and we want to be ahead of the curve, so to speak, and try to minimize what those impacts will be,” he said. “We wanted to make sure we’re proactive and as prepared as can be.”
In the coming days, Opaskwayak — located about 520 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, just outside of The Pas, Man. — will begin distributing cleaning supplies to each household in an effort to lower the risk of the virus’s transmission.
Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/opaskwayak-cree-nation-state-of-emergency-covid-19-1.5502424
