YELLOWKNIFE-JUNE 28, 2021 – The Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) is revoking the Public Health Order – COVID-19 Mandatory Face Mask Requirements – May 17, 2021 and the Public Health Order – Yellowknife, Ndilǫ, Dettah and Behchokǫ̀ Temporary COVID-19 Restrictions – May 5, 2021, including revoking the Partial Revocation of the Temporary COVID-19 Restrictions dated May 17, 2021, effective today at 5 pm.
These orders were put in place for Yellowknife, Ndilǫ, Dettah and Behchokǫ̀ to decrease or eliminate the risk to public health in relation to COVID-19 due to the N.J. Macpherson School outbreak.
The Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) declared the N.J. Macpherson School outbreak over on June 14, 2021. The order requiring mandatory masking in indoor public spaces in these four communities was kept in place an additional two weeks as an extra measure until the school year was over to help prevent the spread of the virus and keep our communities healthy and safe.
While wearing a face mask in indoor public spaces is no longer mandatory, a well-designed and well-fitting face mask or face covering can prevent the spread of infectious respiratory droplets. The CPHO recommends wearing a face mask to protect yourself and others:
- Anytime it is required by a business or service
- Indoors in crowded places
- Indoors in a location with poor ventilation
- Indoors where there is shouting, singing, playing music (especially wind instruments) or exercise (if applicable)
- Outdoors in crowded spaces when it is difficult to maintain physical distance.
The CPHO would like to thank residents and businesses of Yellowknife, Ndilǫ, Dettah and Behchokǫ̀ for diligently following the orders while they were in place.
Attribution
All commentary is attributable to Dr. Kami Kandola, Chief Public Health Officer for the Northwest Territories.