TRAVEL CLOSURE
Two positive COVID tests in Prince Rupert resulted in the Emergency Measures Committee (EMC) calling a meeting on Saturday, December 5 to discuss amendment to travel restrictions.
The Committee became aware of the first case several days ago. We were watching carefully to see whether further cases would be confirmed. We have seen this occur in the Nass Valley, Haida Gwaii, Alert Bay, and the LNG site in Kitimat.
As a precautionary measure, the EMC is implementing a ban on travel in and out of our community. We are prepared to amend that restriction at any time should we see no further evidence of an outbreak but we must protect Lax Kw’alaams.
The Committee decided:
- Effective Monday morning, December 7th, anyone leaving the community will not be allowed re-entry unless: a) They are residents authorized to do so for purposes of patient travel as authorized by Health Centre nurses. These patients must self isolate for 10 days upon their return. b) They are residents authorized to leave the community by the CAO for compassionate reasons (funerals, attending to those dying). These are discretionary decisions that will be judged on an individual basis. These individuals must also isolate for 10 days upon their return.
- Residents currently outside Lax Kw’alaams are encouraged to return to the community as soon as possible.
- Contractors who wish to enter the community will be assessed on an individual basis. Priority will be given to essential services or the various projects currently underway that influence community infrastructure and safety (water intake line, internet upgrade, fuel)
- Retail grocers may not go back and forth. As before, please put your vehicle on the ferry, get it picked up at Aero Point by another individual, and get your vehicle returned unattended.
- We will not be ordering groceries for the community. We encourage you to shop on line or by phone in Prince Rupert, and get your groceries delivered to the ferry. Our flat deck truck will be on the ferry in the morning and will be remaining at Aero Point until the afternoon sailing. We will deliver groceries to the Rec Centre on your behalf.
- The Ferry will continue on its regular schedule in order to allow the continued supply of groceries and materials to the community.
- In order to prevent unauthorized boat traffic from Prince Rupert to Tuck Inlet, the Tuck Inlet road will be open one hour before and closed one hour after each sailing. Should the road need to be opened for emergency purposes, please get in touch with our Maintenance Department (either Luke or Reuben). We will be providing security to prevent re-entry.
- The school and recreation complex will remain open.
Members are encouraged to wear masks AT ALL TIMES.
Be safe.
Garry Reece,
Mayor
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