First of all I want to recognize what you all already know, that all Northwest Territories businesses are making difficult decisions as they implement what is being asked of them to limit the spread of COVID-19 across our territory.

The Government of the Northwest Territories recognize this.  

We acknowledge that it is happening at a cost to business owners and entrepreneurs in the North; and we will continue to seek out, identify, and facilitate ways to support your efforts and address these challenges.

YELLOWKNIFE (April 10, 2020) – NWT Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola today took action to protect NWT residents with two new binding public health Orders.

The announcement comes after forming a new Compliance and Enforcement Taskforce to track down and investigate complaints about those not following the rules of the Public Health Act or public health Orders.

Order on Mines and Oil and Gas Remote Camps to Protect Against the COVID-19 Pandemic

Good afternoon.

As the Premier said, these are unprecedented times.

We put a name on it three weeks ago when we called a Public Health Emergency.

In declaring this emergency, we empowered the Northwest Territories Chief Public Health Officer to take the necessary extraordinary steps to meet this challenge, and protect our territory.

We’ve restricted entry in our territory, mandated self-isolation for residents returning to the NWT, and moved aggressively to educate people on behaviors they should practice and why we all must be in this together.

Good Afternoon.

Today we’re here to talk to media and residents about how the Government of the Northwest Territories will enforce orders made by the Chief Public Health Officer to protect NWT residents and communities.

For weeks now, responding to the impacts of COVID-19 has been the top priority for government officials all across this country and across the world.

COVID-19 is a global pandemic, a public health emergency that needs to be taken seriously.  In the Northwest Territories, we are taking this very seriously, and our decisions reflect that.

Unprecedented times are being met with unprecedented measures as the Northwest Territories responds to COVID-19.

Premier Cochrane, Minister Thom, and NWT Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola today announced the formation of the NWT Compliance and Enforcement Taskforce with the mandate to strengthen the territory’s public health enforcement actions to protect the public health of all NWT residents.

Check against delivery

I want to echo the Premier’s comments that we all need to follow the advice and direction of the Chief Public Health Officer.

She is an expert in protecting public health and the decisions she is making are going to protect NWT residents in both large and small communities.

I understand that people are very concerned about their health and safety. The GNWT is very concerned too. That is why we have taken the steps we have to protect residents over the past three weeks.

Check against delivery 

Thank you for joining us this morning.

Once again, we have some unhappy news that we’re here to discuss: the confirmation of two additional COVID-19 cases in the Northwest Territories, including our first case in a small community.

I know that people are concerned for their health, especially the people in small communities.

I also know that people are concerned to know if COVID-19 is in your community.

The Health Services Administration office in Inuvik is currently experiencing delays in processing health care card renewal forms. Due to these delays, NWT residents with recently expired health care cards will continue to receive physician and hospital services.

At this time, we advise that NWT residents continue to submit their health care card renewal forms as usual.

To submit a renewal form, the public can either:

Minister of Health and Social Services Diane Thom extended the territory-wide Public Health Emergency on April 1, which was first declared 14 days prior under the Northwest Territories Public Health Act.

This extension is due to the continued need for response to the COVID-19 global pandemic to protect public health in the Northwest Territories.

The Public Health Emergency was extended upon the recommendation of Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola.

Check against delivery 

Good afternoon.

Just before this press conference, I was informed we have confirmed a second case of COVID-19 in the NWT.

We issued a Public Health Advisory as soon as the patient was notified, and we had enough facts to communicate to the public.

We apologize about the late notice, and we understand this would ideally have been done in person.