Advisory to the Residents of Lax Kw’alaams COVID-19 Advisory #27

LOCKDOWN EXTENDED BY ONE WEEK
Effective February 25 – March 3, 2021

The Lax Kw’aaams Band has been monitoring the situation in Prince Rupert and there has been an increase of COVID cases over these past two weeks. There are no cases of COVID in the community. The Emergency Measures Committee (EMC) met on February 10, 2021.

The EMC decided that:

1) Lax Kw’alaams remains on lockdown CURRENTLY until February 24, 2021

2) Residents leaving the community will not be allowed re-entry unless:

A) They are residents authorized to do so for EMERGENCY patient travel as authorized by the Health Centre Nurses. These patients must isolate for 14 days upon their return.

B) Patients that require escorts must provide a note from their physician.

C) They are authorized to leave the community by the Assistant to the CAO for compassionate reasons (funerals, attending to those in critical care) and other circumstances.

3) Non-residents currently in the community do not have to leave; but when they do leave, they cannot re-enter the community.

4) Band members that are from the community and wish to move home, currently are not allowed until this lock down has been lifted.

5) Residents who decide to leave Lax Kw’alaams will not be allowed back until the lockdown has ended.

6) Contractors who 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. These contracts will have no contact with community members.

7) Retail grocers must 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.

8) The Lax Kw’alaams Band will be ordering groceries for the community.

9) We encourage you to shop on-line or by phone in Prince Rupert, and get your groceries delivered to the ferry. Our flat deck will be on the ferry Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s in the morning and will remain at Aero Point until the afternoon sailing. We will deliver groceries to the Rec Centre on your behalf.

10) The ferry will continue to run on its regular schedule in order to allow the continued supply of groceries and materials to the community.

11) In order to prevent the 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 open for emergency purposes, please get in touch with the maintenance department (either Luke or Reuben). The Fire Chief has the key for emergency purposes.

12) Security has been hired to monitor the traffic at Tucks Inlet and the harbour in Lax Kw’alaams.

13) Taxi drivers and their passengers are required to wear masks.

14) Patient travel clients can travel for EMERGENCIES ONLY and must isolate for 14 days upon their return. To limit the possible exposure to COVID, patient travel clients that travel to Prince Rupert are required to return home immediately following their appointment. Clients who decide not to return to Lax Kw’alaams will not be allowed back to the community until the lockdown has lifted.

15) The isolation period is now 14 days. With-in that 14-day period, they must not have no sign of elevated temperature, breathing difficulty, or any signs of COVID-19.

16) Residents who visit those that are in isolation will be put on isolation for 14 days and will be fined $750

17) Susan Dennis, Community Health Rep will be monitoring those that need to isolate. She will be giving directions for isolation, families will be responsible for checking in on their family members, if there is a concern as for symptoms they are to contact the clinic immediately. It is the responsibility for the community member to have their own food or their family to provide meals and bedding. Internet is provided however, the router for WIFI is not.

18) If the client is in need of dressing changes due to surgical procedures or is vulnerable because of a medical condition such as cardiac/ respiratory or otherwise, these clients will be checked in on regularly and visits will be organized with In Home and Community Care, please contact Irene at 250-625-3497

19) Anyone violating isolation restrictions will be fined $750 and will not be allowed on the Lax Kw’alaams ferry.

20) Ferry traffic will be monitored closer, not only will walk on passengers be required to give their name to the ferry reservation clerk, so will all people travelling in vehicles. All ferry passenger names will be reviewed by a committee of 4 people and administration will forward the list to the captain. If your name is not on the list, then you will not be permitted travel on the ferry.

Members are encouraged to wear masks AT ALL TIMES and use hand sanitizer.

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 at (250) 625-3293 Ext 242, 1-877-725-3293 Ext 242 or via email at [email protected].

Be safe.

Garry Reece,

Mayor

Things you can do while in quarantine (self-isolation) for 14 Days

Isolation-Information-14-Days-Revised-Feb-10-2021 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

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 14 Days Monitor yourself for symptoms, such as: