The Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) will now offer exemptions from self-isolation requirements for travellers from the Yukon who are arriving or plan to arrive in the Northwest Territories (NWT). 

NWT residents and non-residents arriving from the Yukon will still need to submit a self-isolation plan and exemption request through ProtectNWT. They must receive an approved exemption letter from the CPHO before they can be exempt from self-isolation. Travellers applying for an exemption must have been in the Yukon or the NWT for at least the past 14 days. They will not qualify for an exemption if they have transited through another jurisdiction outside the Yukon or the NWT on their way to the NWT. This is the same process currently in place for travellers arriving from Nunavut. 

Anyone who has already arrived in the NWT from the Yukon can also apply for a retroactive exemption by contacting ProtectNWT. This means anyone who has arrived in the NWT and is already self-isolating can still apply for an exemption. If it is approved by the CPHO, that person would no longer have to self-isolate.

Travellers from the Yukon seeking an exemption from self-isolation must also:

• Not be symptomatic.
• Not have been named a contact of a person with COVID-19.
• Not have been notified that they were part of a COVID-19 outbreak.
• Not have been in close contact with someone who has travelled out of the Yukon in the past 14 days and/or is under mandatory self-isolation.

Travellers will not be eligible for an exemption in the following circumstances:

• If they are coming from a community with travel restrictions in place.
• If they are coming from a community experiencing community transmission of COVID-19.
• If they are coming from a Yukon camp or work site that has out-of-territory workers.         

Quotes

“With a low number of cases, a successful vaccine roll-out and strong public health measures in place in both territories, now is an appropriate time to provide travellers from the Yukon the opportunity to be exempt from the requirement to self isolate for 14 days when entering the NWT. There are strong ties between both of our territories and this change will allow families and friends on both sides of our borders to see each other again while continuing to keep our territories and communities healthy and safe.”

-Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services

“We are taking a measured approach to easing our public health measures. I am now pleased that we have taken another step forward in our pandemic response. As we continue to offer vaccines to our eligible population and more NWT residents build up immunity to COVID-19, we will explore ways to reduce restrictions when the scientific evidence supports it and it is safe to do so.”

-Dr. Kami Kandola, Chief Public Health Officer of the Northwest Territories

Quick facts

• This exemption process applies to travellers from the Yukon regardless of vaccination status.
• Travellers must follow additional conditions set out in the exemption letters during the first 14 days upon arrival to the NWT, such as wearing non-medical masks in public places where social distancing cannot be maintained.
• Household members of a traveller with an exemption from self-isolation will also be exempt and will not need to self-isolate.
• Anyone seeking an exemption who is unsure if they are eligible should email the CPHO at CPHO@gov.nt.ca
• The CPHO can revoke an exemption at any time or deny a request for exemption or alter conditions based on a current public health risk assessment.

Related links

• GNWT COVID-19 website
• Self isolation plans
• Self isolation (for travellers entering the NWT)
• Yukon Self-isolation exemption FAQs
• Travelling to the Yukon if you’re fully vaccinated

Media Requests, please contact:

Dawn Ostrem

Manager, COVID Communications

Health and Social Services

COVID-19 Coordinating Secretariat Government of the Northwest Territories Dawn_Ostrem@gov.nt.ca