Advisory to the Residents of Lax Kw’alaams COVID-19 Advisory #22

Three COVID 19 patient transfers from Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace to Prince Rupert Regional Hospital and two positive cases in Prince Rupert resulted in the Emergency Measures Committee (EMC) calling a meeting on Friday, January 8.

As a precautionary measure, the EMC is implementing a ban on travel in and out of our community. This will be effective immediately and will last for two weeks. The EMC committee will evaluate the situation in seven days.

The Committee Decided:

Effective Friday, January 8^th at 5:00pm, residents leaving the community will not be allowed re-entry unless:
1. They are residents authorized to do so for EMERGENCY patient travel as authorized by Health Centre nurses. These patients must isolate for 10 days upon their return.
2. They are residents authorized to leave the community by the Assistant to the CAO for compassionate reasons (funerals, attending to those in critical care)
Residents currently in Prince Rupert are encouraged to return to the community by Saturday, January 9^th on the last ferry.
Non-residents that are currently in the community do not have to leave; but when they do leave they can not enter the community.
Travel to Lax Kw’alaams is restricted to Lax Kw’alaams residents only.
Contracts 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, dredging). These contractors will have no contact with community members.
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 (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday) 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 Maintenance Department (either Luke or Reuben). The Fire Chief has the key for emergency purposes. We will be providing security to prevent re-entry.
Patient travel clients are allowed to travel for EMERGENCIES only and must isolate for 10 days upon their return.
The isolation period is 10 days. See attachment for definition of isolation. Within that 10-day period, there must be no sign of elevated temperature, breathing difficulty or any signs of COVID.
COVID-19 vaccinations are available in the community; there are two shots to take. The 2^nd shot has to be taken no sooner than 21 days after the first shot and no later than 28 days after the first shot.
For future travel on the ferry to Prince Rupert the EMC have agreed that those who have had their vaccinations and will be allowed to travel 14 days after the second vaccine is given.
Anyone without the vaccination card with both vaccines, will remain in lock down, if we are in lockdown.
As everyone is aware this will also be pertinent for all air travel in the very near future.
There will be clinics held this weekend from 1:00pm to 7:00pm, Saturday and Sunday. Please do your part and keep our community safe.
If you are hesitant about getting the vaccine, please come and talk to us for more information.
Please contact us at (250) 625-3331 if you are in isolation and would like the vaccine. We can organize someone to come to your home to give it to you.
Susan Dennis, CHR (Community Health Rep) will be monitoring those that need to isolate. She will be giving directions for isolation as well as checking up on the health and well being of those during the isolation period.

Members are encouraged to wear masks AT ALL TIMES.

Any questions regarding the flow of ferry traffic in and out of Lax Kw’alaams can be directed to Lisa Green, Assistant to the CAO.

Be safe.

Garry Reece,

Mayor

Things you can do while in quarantine (self-isolation) for 10 Days

Isolation-Information Download

While keeping a physical distance of 2 metres from others, you can:

Avoid contact with other people to help prevent transmission of the virus prior to developing symptoms or at the earliest stage of illness

Greet with a wave instead of a handshake, a kiss or a hug
Ask family, a neighbour or friend to help with essential errands (e.g., buying groceries, going to the band office to pay bills etc..)
You are not allowed to go into any public buildings
Use food delivery services or online shopping
Go outside on your private balcony or deck, walk in your yard do some gardening get some fresh air.
What ever you are doing outside your home

ALWAYS WEAR YOUR MASK No Visitors in Your Home

You may go for a walk alone or with people you are isolating with that are in your bubble
6 feet distance from anyone else at all times
Exercise at home
Go for a drive in your vehicle but you need to go from your home into your car directly and do not get out of your car until you return home.
Use technology, such as video calls, to keep in touch with family and friends through online dinners and games
Work from home

Within the 10 Days Monitor yourself for symptoms, such as: