Self-Isolation (For Travelers Entering The NWT)
To protect you, your family, and community from COVID-19, the NWT has put in place laws that require everyone arriving in the NWT, with few exceptions, to self-isolate for 14 days in only Yellowknife, Inuvik, Hay River or Fort Smith.
For more information, see:
If you are a traveler from Nunavut arriving or planning to arrive in the NWT
The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer is now considering self isolation exemption requests.
You will still need to file a self isolation plan and exemption request through ProtectNWT and you must receive an approved exemption letter from the Chief Public Health Officer before you will be able to not self isolate.
If you have already arrived in the NWT, you can apply for a retroactive exemption by contacting ProtectNWT.
If you are an Essential Worker or are returning from outside of Canada
There are additional isolation requirements that you must comply with when arriving in the NWT:
- Essential Workers
- Travellers arriving in Canada (Government of Canada)
You must self-isolate for 14 days:
- If you are returning from travel within Canada, but outside of NWT.
- Everyone in your household must also self-isolate with you unless you are able to stay in a separate location, or in a self-contained unit (i.e. basement suite) with:
- A separate entrance
- A separate bathroom
- A separate kitchen facilities
- A separate sleeping space
Self-isolation means that, for 14 days you need to:
- stay at home, designated isolation centre, or private suite and monitor yourself for symptoms, even just one mild symptom
- If you don’t have symptoms you can go out for fresh air by yourself or other self-isolating household members while practicing physical distancing. This does not include boating, parks, camps, ski trails, etc.
- If you must run an urgent errand by yourself (e.g. pick up medication), first try to contact a care group in your local area for support. If you have no other option, wear a non-medical mask to run the errand, while also practicing physical distancing.
- avoid contact with other people to help prevent spread of the virus before the development of symptoms or at the earliest stage of illness
- do your part to prevent the spread of disease by practicing physical distancing in your home
- monitor yourself for symptoms
- you and other household members should follow healthy respiratory practices. This includes:
If you start to develop symptoms within 14 days of your self-isolation, you must:
- isolate yourself from others as soon as you notice your first symptom
- immediately call a health care provider to discuss your symptoms and travel history, and follow their instructions carefully
- if you are at risk of more severe diseases or outcomes, monitor yourself for worsening or severe symptoms
- call 9-1-1 if you develop severe symptoms and let them know that you may have been exposed to COVID-19.
Dealing with isolation
People who are self-isolating may feel fear, anger, sadness, irritability, guilt or confusion. There are several supports and resources to help you through this challenging time: