Self-Isolation (For Travelers Entering The NWT)
Last modified:
01/04/2021 - 10:18
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 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:
- 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: