The Government of the Northwest Territories is toughening its response to people disobeying the public orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Wednesday, the GNWT announced it was putting together a taskforce responsible for enforcing the orders. According to Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola, the taskforce is a “direct…
A handful of leaders around the Northwest Territories have set up roadblocks or checkpoints for people entering their community. On March 19, K’atlo’deeche First Nation set up a checkpoint monitored by community members to only allow access to the reserve to residents and essential workers. On April 3, Deninu K’ue…
Premier Caroline Cochrane has taken over the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Citing the “unprecedented challenge” of COVID-19, Premier Cochrane said she wanted a “more hands-on-role”. Speaking to reporters following the announcement Tuesday, the premier said the COVID-19 pandemic is bigger than what the Emergency Management Organization (EMO) is…
The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer is now recommending residents wear face masks when going out in public. The new recommendation comes after Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said masks could help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a mask isn’t so much to protect…
The Yellowknives Dene First Nation has set up a fund to help its most vulnerable members keep food on the table during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jason Snaggs is YKDFN’s chief executive officer. In an email, he said YKDFN’s goal is to raise $250,000 for the food security fund. So far,…
Canadians who have lost their income due to COVID-19 can now apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). According to a government news release, “Canadians can expect their payment in three to five business days from when they apply if they are using direct deposit.” If no direct deposit…
More than 300 families have benefitted from the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation’s Child First Initiative (CFI) funding during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the IRC now says that funding has come to an end after it provided $448,000 to local stores to support the families. The funding for CFI came from the…
Less than 72 hours after the third and fourth confirmed cases, the Northwest Territories now has had five total cases of the COVID-19. In a notice sent Sunday evening, the office of the chief public health officer says the individual travelled to Latin America. “There remains no evidence of community…
“Knowing what communities COVID-19 is in will not make you safer.” Premier Caroline Cochrane said this while addressing media and residents Saturday morning after the previous day’s confirmation of two more cases of the virus in the NWT. “What makes you safer is respecting the orders of the chief public…
There are now four total confirmed cases of the virus in the territory. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola’s office says both cases are linked to travel outside of the territory. One person went to Europe before returning to Yellowknife on March 20. They have been self-isolating since then….