The Minister of Health and Social Services, Diane Thom, is announcing the following adjustments to health and social services operations that create new pathways to access care, while also enhancing social distancing. These steps are being taken to ensure the health system can reserve and reallocate existing resources, protect our vulnerable populations, and reduce potential for spread and exposure for our staff and the public.

Starting immediately the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) will:

Effective immediately, NWT Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola has ordered all travel into the Northwest Territories prohibited with limited exceptions to combat COVID-19 in the territory.

This order is made under the NWT’s Public Health Act, using the additional powers granted to the Chief Public Health Officer during a Public Health Emergency.

Good afternoon.

Today, our territory confirmed its first case of COVID-19.

First of all, I’d like to echo Premier Cochrane’s message of support to those affected.

These things are hard — for the individuals who contract the virus, for friends, for families, and for our communities.

Our thoughts are with you. And so too are our actions.

Good afternoon. Late last night our public health officials confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in the Northwest Territories.

This is hard news to share and I want to express my concern and sympathy for the people affected by this and let them know that the Government of the Northwest Territories is going to do everything we can to support them in this difficult time.

To the people of the Northwest Territories, I want to say that we knew this day would come and the GNWT has been working hard so that we would be prepared when it did.

NWT Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola is preparing to make an order effective March 21, 2020 prohibiting all travel (by air, land, and port) into the Northwest Territories, with limited exceptions, to combat COVID-19 in the territory.

Furthermore, Dr. Kandola will also order those returning to the territory, to self-isolate in Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Hay River, or Inuvik.     

This measure will be required to ensure protection of residents of our smallest communities as people return north.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)  recognizes the difficulties that the COVID-19 pandemic and health measures being taken to combat the virus’ spread is causing NWT businesses, service providers, residents, governments and non-government organizations. Today, Minister Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Finance and Minister Katrina Nokleby, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, and Infrastructure, announced Economic Relief Measures that will help minimize expenses and keep cash available for immediate needs in this time of uncertainty.

Check against delivery 

I’d like to take a moment to reiterate what many of my colleagues have also addressed over the last few days, and that’s that I know this is an anxious time, and many of us are unsure and worried about what the future holds.

The situation with COVID-19 is evolving quickly, and in times like this, what many people want most are answers. They want to know that their physical, and financial wellbeing are being looked out for. That their governments understand these pressures, and are doing everything they can.

Check against delivery 

It was only eight days ago, last Thursday, that the Legislative Assembly was part way through our winter budget session. Eight days ago the full Assembly came together, took stock of the growing risks of the COVID-19 pandemic and took action by deciding to end our winter session early. This past Monday, all 19 members of the Assembly supported the passage of an interim appropriation to provide a temporary budget for the functioning of the Government of the NWT until we can reconvene at the end of May.

On Thursday, March 19 2020 the majority of Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) employees began working from home. This decision was made to ensure that the GNWT is implementing social distancing measures as recommended by the Chief Public Health Officer to assist in mitigating and containing the possible risk to health of all NWT residents.

Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane today hosted a telephone briefing and discussion on COVID-19 planning and preparedness with mayors and chiefs from community governments, as well as leaders of NWT Indigenous governments and organizations. 

The Premier was joined on the call by MP Michael McLeod, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Paulie Chinna, as well as Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Kami Kandola, and Ivan Russell, the Director of Public Safety with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.