Yellowknife — March 4, 2021
Residents of Fort Simpson and Norman Wells can now self-isolate in their home communities following travel outside the territory.
The Northwest Territories Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola has issued two new Public Health Orders that amend the Public Health Order – COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and Self-Isolation Protocol – to allow residents of Fort Simpson and Norman Wells to self-isolate in their home community.
Both communities, being regional centres, have:
- Adequate medical resources to support new cases that arise, including stabilization of any severe cases pending transport to another centre.
- Completed the second dose clinics of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in Fort Simpson and Norman Wells this week.
- Active wastewater surveillance with collections occurring twice per week.
- Regional compliance and enforcement officers located in the community.
This allows residents of Fort Simpson and Norman Wells the opportunity to safely isolate in their home communities instead of one of the four regional hub isolation centres.
Prior to this amendment, anyone living in the two communities returning from travel outside the NWT was required to self-isolate for 14 days in Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith or Inuvik.
In order to self-isolate in either of these communities, residents must:
- Submit a Self-Isolation Plan to Protect NWT prior to, or within 24 hours of, entering the NWT.
- Safely self-isolate for 14 days in their home community immediately upon entering the NWT, in accordance with the self-isolation requirements in the Public Health Order, and their approved Self-Isolation Plan.
- Only travel to their home community once their Self-Isolation Plan is approved.
These Public Health Orders are effective March 4, 2021 at 5 p.m. and will remain in place for the duration of the Public Health Emergency, unless rescinded.
Quotes
Self-isolation for 14 days can be challenging for individuals. Allowing residents of Fort Simpson and Norman Wells to safely self-isolate in their home communities will address some of those challenges and offer a greater sense of well-being in more familiar surroundings, while continuing to keep our residents and communities healthy and safe.”
- Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services
“Allowing self-isolation in Fort Simpson and Norman Wells is an example of a measured approach to easing our public health measures. I am thankful we have been able to amend the order to make the 14 days of self-isolation less challenging now that residents of these two communities have received two doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.”
- Dr. Kami Kandola, Chief Public Health Officer of the Northwest Territories
Quick facts
- Only residents of Norman Wells and Fort Simpson will be able to self-isolate in these communities.
- The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is reported to be 92% effective 14 days or more after the first dose, meaning people begin building strong protection against the disease with one shot. Vaccine effectiveness increases following the second dose.
- Any person who has any questions or inquiries about this exemption can contact Protect NWT protectnwt@gov.nt.ca or 1-833-378-8297 and can obtain a copy of this exemption from Protect NWT or from https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19.
Related links
- Exemptions for Fort Simpson residents March 4, 2021
- Exemptions for Norman Wells residents March 4, 2021
- GNWT COVID-19 website
- Self isolations plans
- Vaccine schedules across the NWT
Media Requests, please contact:
Darren Campbell
Manager, COVID-19 Communications
Health and Social Services
COVID-19 Coordinating Secretariat
Government of the Northwest Territories