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 Department of Industry, Tourism, and Investment (ITI) is postponing the opening of Northwest Territories parks.  An opening date for the 2020 park season has not been confirmed at this time.

The decision supports territory-wide efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the Northwest Territories.  It follows examples set by Parks Canada and other jurisdictions.

The Government of the Northwest Territories’ online reservation system will also remain closed until further notice.

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Minister of Finance, Caroline Wawzonek, today outlined the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT’s) position on the sale and availability of liquor during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

Premier Caroline Cochrane announced that she will assume the portfolio of Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) effective today.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) understands the physical distancing and isolation measures used to combat the spread of COVID-19 have created new and very real economic stress on Northwest Territories (NWT) residents, families, businesses, Indigenous governments, and communities. In response to this, Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Finance, and Katrina Nokleby, Minister of Infrastructure and Industry, Tourism and Investment, are announcing additional support for people, businesses, and communities in response to COVID-19.