The Honourable R.J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) met with territorial education leaders and the Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association (NWTTA) again on April 21, 2020 to discuss continued learning for Northwest Territories (NWT) students during the time of school closures as a result of COVID-19.
It is undoubtedly good news that at this time, our territory has no active cases of COVID-19, and our last confirmed case reported two-and-a-half weeks ago.
But as we respond to COVID-19, it’s important we both look at the facts, and remember our history.
We know that there are second and perhaps even third waves in Canada expected before we get a vaccine.
Taiga Environmental Laboratory (Taiga Lab) is stepping up to support the response to COVID-19 in the Northwest Territories by producing hand sanitizer for Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) workers that interact with the public.
Frontline workers at airports and enforcement checkpoints, as well as wildlife officers and healthcare workers are at higher risk of exposure to COVID-19. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are proven to help reduce the spread of the virus.
If you’re in the Northwest Territories, dialing 8-1-1 is your connection to COVID-19 information and services.
The new Service NWT COVID Support Line means residents can use one easy number to reach the established self-isolation, enforcement, and regional centre accommodations lines.
The line also has staff to provide callers with accurate information about COVID-19 and how it relates to residents of the NWT. The operators will assist the caller by:
Minister of Finance, Caroline Wawzonek, today announced changes to the Liquor Regulations to put limits on the amount of liquor that can be sold daily to individual customers in territorial liquor stores. The restrictions are in effect as of April 16, 2020.
These changes are being made in response to requests from Members of the Legislative Assembly, as well as community and Indigenous leaders across the territory, in an effort to deter bootlegging activity in the NWT’s communities.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) understands the importance of essential fuel deliveries for residents and businesses in northern communities. It has been a priority for the GNWT that this work continues uninterrupted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Caroline Wawzonek confirmed today that the GNWT has enacted the Residential Tenancies (COVID-19) Regulations, a new temporary regulation that offers tenants a mechanism to defer their rent if they have lost their job or have had a significant decline in their income during the COVID-19 health pandemic.
The Territorial Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency have been extended in the Northwest Territories. Both extensions takes effect as of April 15, 2020 and expire April 28, 2020.
Diane Thom, Minister of Health and Social Services extended the territory-wide Public Health Emergency which was first extended on April 1 under the Northwest Territories’ Public Health Act.
Premier Caroline Cochrane, in her capacity of Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs extended the territory-wide state of emergency under the Emergency Management Act.
Check against delivery
Thank you Minister.
Let’s talk for a moment about what these orders actually mean, and how we’re going to implement them
The most important thing we all can to flatten the covid-19 curve is to practice physical distancing. This is something that Dr. Teresa Tam CPHO for Canada has recommended for all Canadians.
