After northern Manitoba’s first positive COVID-19 test in months, a pair of First Nations groups are asking to put restrictions on travel into the north back in place.
In a joint statement issued August 22, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief Garrison Settee and Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Grand Chief Arlen Dumas formally requested the reinstatement of restrictions on travel into northern Manitoba from outside the region. The move comes following a positive COVID-19 test in the Gillam/Fox Lake Cree Nation area, linked to a traveller who came to the region from southwest Manitoba.
Settee’s and Dumas’ request was made specifically to provincial chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin.
“Our Chiefs have taken every precaution to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their community members and we are calling on the Manitoba government to work with First Nations leadership to reinstate the order prohibiting travel to northern Manitoba,” said Settee.
“The call to reinstate the northern travel order is a proactive measure by First Nations leadership to reduce and minimize risk the spread of COVID-19 as access to primary health care is not comparable to our neighbours in the south.”
Restrictions on travel into northern Manitoba were put in place by the provincial government for the first time April 16, lasting until June 26. According to provincial statistics, the region had already had three cases of COVID-19 when the restrictions were first announced, with all people having recovered. No other cases were announced in the region until August 23.
Under the previous public health order restricting travel, people coming north for essential services were allowed to travel freely, while others could face fines if they travelled into the region. Northern Manitoba residents were able to travel freely within the region and into southern Manitoba and back during the restrictions.
Dumas said protections for essential services under a restored order must include First Nations input, allowing for some services, including construction teams headed north to build northern projects and for teachers spending the summer in the south before working in the north, not always covered by the last order.
“By imposing travel restrictions, we want to collaborate with the province in establishing criteria for exemptions to the order. Our First Nations are currently undertaking vital community housing and infrastructure projects with companies classified as essential service providers,” said Dumas.
“However, these services must be consistent with pandemic planning protocols established by our First Nations to ensure that the work is conducted in the safest manner possible.”
“We must be mindful to not place restrictions on educators returning to our northern schools,” included Settee.
“As an educator, I value the role of our educators and view them as performing an essential service for our students, families and communities.”
