COVID-19 pandemic in Nunavut
[8] In May 2021, the Mary River Mine in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Baffin Island announced an outbreak, with over 100 employees testing positive for COVID-19.
When the mine shut down operations for May, it sent many workers to their southern home communities, which has led to the variant spreading to several provinces.
Patterson stated that Nunavut's Department of Health was making preparations for a possible outbreak within the territory, including educating staff on personal protective equipment and testing procedures.
[13] MLA John Main showed particular concern towards elders, residents of overcrowded homes, government staff, and residents receiving income support, and suggested that the concept of "social distancing" was relatively unknown to the culture of Nunavut, since "we're always inviting people and we're always getting invited to go eat.
The capital of Iqaluit instituted similar measures, while the hamlets of Cambridge Bay, Coral Harbour, and Igloolik issued recommendations against outside visitors.
[16][17][18] Patterson stated that testing of suspected cases was being conducted by health care professionals at patients' homes.
Premier Joe Savikataaq stated that at least half of the 50 to 60 tests conducted at that point had been processed, and had all come back negative.
In response, the company announced that the Nunavut-based workforces of its Meliadine and Meadowbank mines would be sent home for four weeks with pay.
The company stated: "we value our relationship with the people of Nunavut and are committed to do what is best for the health, safety and well-being of all our employees and the communities.
"[19] During the day's briefing, Minister of Economic Development and Transportation David Akeeagok stated that the company had already taken steps to alleviate potential spread, including screening employees for symptoms before they were allowed to take a flight, and having them depart immediately by bus on arrival (rather than go through the airport) to prevent community contact.
"[20] In early April, 23 inmates were released from local corrections facilities as a precautionary measure in order to prevent crowding.
[21] On April 3, the government and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated announced a combined $2 million investment in food security, to be allocated to individual hamlets.
[22] On April 14, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the federal government would provide $30.9 million in financial aid to Nunavut (as part of a $129.9 million package for Canada's territories) to support health care, businesses, and Northern airlines transporting essential goods.
[27] On April 27, Nunavut issued revisions to its social distancing rules, barring all gatherings of more than five people (regardless of location, excluding immediate family in a household), and clarifying restrictions on commerce, with businesses only allowed to remain open if customers are able to practice appropriate social distancing.
[43] Existing restrictions on travel into the territory would remain in place indefinitely, likely until a vaccine or proven therapy was discovered.
That day, Patterson also announced that an advisory against domestic travel within the territory had been lifted, and that on June 8, government employees would be allowed to return to their offices (subject to social distancing and health protocols, after having been re-classified as a low-risk opening), and that libraries, museums, and galleries would be allowed to reopen to individual browsing only.
[51][52] On July 20, the federal government announced that up to $18.9 million in funding would be provided to cover PPE, testing, and paid sick leave.
[53] Schools resumed in-person classes for the new semester, with cohorting, mandatory masks in certain situations for students over the age of 13, and social distancing.
A four-level system would be used to escalate mitigations if Nunavut experienced a heightened rate of infections (including staggered or alternate-day schedules, or suspension of in-person classes).
[58] The same day, it was announced that restaurants and bars could increase to 75% capacity with social distancing, bars could return to normal hours; outdoor gatherings could increase to 100 and indoor to 15; arenas and recreation facilities were capped at 50 people; and galleries, libraries, and museums could operate at half capacity.
As a result, restrictions were implemented in the Kivalliq region, and local schools and colleges announced they would close for at least 14 days.
[69] All gatherings were limited to five people unless otherwise noted, while non-essential businesses, bars, dine-in restaurants, personal care facilities, and schools were ordered closed.
The workers who returned home are believed to have spread the virus from the mine, including the Delta variant, and have been linked to several hundred cases in Ontario, Alberta, and elsewhere.
[14] Transport Canada announced the same day that cruise ship traffic to Nunavut would be suspended for the remainder of the season.
[14] Starting March 25, air entry into Nunavut by non-residents was prohibited, with exemptions granted for critical medical workers.
Residents returning to the territory are required to quarantine for 14 days at a hotel in either Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg, or Yellowknife before flying back.
On June 11, after the Northwest Territories partly loosened its travel restrictions (which previously contained a similar quarantine hub requirement and restriction to residents, in favour of allowing unrestricted travel — subject to self-isolation on arrival) as a result of similar concerns, Patterson stated that based on the opinion of lawyers, the decision to suspend freedom of movement was allowable under the Charter due to the emergency declaration.
[49] On June 22, medical travel to Churchill, Manitoba was exempted from Nunavut's quarantine requirements, citing a low risk because there had been no cases in the town.
[33] In May 2020, to reinforce social distancing laws by discouraging gatherings, a number of hamlets began to institute temporary restrictions on any consumption, possession, or distribution of alcohol.
