Kwakiutl First Nation - COVID-19 UPDATES

Date: 
Tuesday, March 24, 2020

 March 30th, 2020 

The following is a number of key web site links that may be useful when looking for information.

 

BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) COVID-19 Health Information - Health Info for public and health workers, self assessment testing:
http://covid-19.bccdc.ca/

 http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19


Case counts, situation reports, governmental press statements:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/case-counts-press-statements

 

BC Public Health Officer – Orders, Notices, Posters, Guidance and Letters (First Responders, Social Sectors, Ministry of Education)
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

 

Provincial Support and Information on COVID-19 regarding Essential ServicesSymptoms CheckingChild CareEducationEmployment and FinancesBusinessesHousing and Monthly BillsTransportationTravel and TourismReduced ServicesBeing Prepared and Health Care:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support

 

What are Essential Services
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/essential-services-covid-19

 

Provincial Q&A info page for Local Authorities and First Nations:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/local-emergency-programs/local-government-first-nations-faq

 

Provincial declaration of a state of emergency - Ministerial orders of March 26th

 


 

March 27th, 2020 Update;

SECURITY CHECK POINT:
The EOC, along with Chief and Council take the security and wellness of our members very seriously. For those that live in Tsakis, we have hired an independent security company to man our check point 24/7. Aires Security will be starting Monday at 8am
 
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW REGARDING THE CHECKPOINT:
Tsakis Community will be open to residents, essential service providers and first responders ONLY! NO EXCEPTIONS. Visitors (including family members), Tourists, and the like will NOT be permitted on reserve. Also, BE ADVISED there will be NO vehicle access to our community from 11p to 5a. You may drive off reserve, however, no one will be allowed to drive ON reserve between those hours.  
It was under careful consideration, especially for our elders and little's that these decisions were made. 
* Please understand: This is NOT a BAND MEMBER initiative, but a TSAKIS RESIDENT initiative. Passes are limited to Residents ONLY and not ALL band members. 
 
ADDITIONAL SECURITY:
The EOC team is doing the best we can to secure our village. We have “NO TRESSPASSING” signs going up this weekend at the Thomas Point Access, the Trail going to Beaver Harbor Road and our Front Check Point. The Port Hardy RCMP and the District of Port Hardy are in support of the measures we are taking an applaud Tsakis Community efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please be advised that laws/by-laws that are in place will be strictly enforced. 
 
ISOLATION:
Physical Distancing is so important right now. We are asking people to not visit other households and not allow for group play-dates. If you need to check on a family member, assign ONE person to check continuously and use the utmost care to use safe measures. We are also asking that you only leave reserve for essentials items such as food, toiletries, medical, etc. Again, it’s best to assign ONE person to do the essential errands and stay at least 6 ft from others. The less contact we have with people outside our household, the safer we all are. 
 
ESSENTIALS DISTRIBUTION:
Your EOC and a few amazing volunteers are getting ready to distribute essentials to households on reserve. We will let you know when this will be available, but if deliveries arrive as scheduled, we are hoping for tomorrow afternoon or Sunday. As we are practicing physical distancing and our protocol does not advise house to house delivery during a pandemic, we will be setting up a “drive thru” at the Hall, where we place your items in the trunk or back of your vehicle. For those that cannot “drive thru”, we have other safety procedures to assist with front door delivery. Please watch this page for more details and date/time.
 
Any questions, concerns or comments can be emailed to:
 
Thank you for your understanding and support though these trying times. Stay Well and Stay Safe! 
 

ǥilakas'la,

Emergency Operations Center Team
Kwakiutl First Nation
97 Tsakis Way PO Box 1440  Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0

 


 

 

March 24th, 2020

RE: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

FR: Kwakiutl Emergency Operation Center Team - COVID-19

Your Kwakiutl Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Team is working hard to get procedures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our village and review the needs of our residents.

The following protocols are now in place for the safety and wellness of all Tsakis Community residents:

Effective March 24th, 2020

~ Checkpoint at Beaver Harbor Rd and Fort Rupert Rd (Eff: March 25th)
    *Community will be open to Residents, Essential Service Providers and First Responders Only

~ Thomas Point Road access has been blocked off to ALL vehicle traffic
    *Please be aware in case of emergency evacuation 

~ ALL community buildings are CLOSED – NO VISITORS
    *Essential Staff only to access buildings at this time

~ ALL community events and gatherings are CANCELLED

~ ALL community playgrounds are CLOSED

In progress:

Your EOC Team is also actively working on protocols for the following:

~ Food & Wellness Distribution – Access and Delivery for on-reserve members

~ Food Fish – Run, Process and Delivery for on-reserve members

~ Extended Spring Break for Kwigwis and Wagalus Schools

 

***We ask that you DO NOT have gatherings with those outside your household***

In addition, we are asking off-reserve family members of Tsakis Residents to refrain from visiting. If you must receive visitors, you/your guests will be required to quarantine for at least 14 days. Kindly, contact your EOC Team should you have to quarantine so appropriate measures can be taken to ensure your well-being.

If you would like to assist on-reserve residents in ANY WAY regarding the pandemic COVID-19, contact your EOC Team as we have protocols in place that need to be followed to ensure community safety.

We understand that this is a trying and scary time for everyone. We appreciate you abiding by these protocols and we will continue to work hard as your Emergency Management Team!

 

Gilak’asla,

Kwakiutl EOC Team

 

**Should you have questions, comments or concerns, email **

***Please join our Kwakiutl Emergency Updates FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kwakiutlemergencyupdates***