The Muskoday First Nation is taking steps to protect members from COVID-19. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

covid-19

Area First Nations working to protect members from COVID-19

Mar 23, 2020 | 2:10 PM

Area First Nations are taking steps to protect their members against the COVID-19 virus.

Last week Fond-du-lac Denesuline Nation issued a travel ban to the nation, and offered members aid.

Shoal Lake Cree Nation, northeast of P.A. is set to put a lockdown in place shortly.

“As of six o’clock this evening, Shoal Lake Cree Nation will be on a lockdown, with the intent of hiring security to monitor the corner of Highway 55,” Chief Marcel Head said.

Head said chief and council members decided to put the lockdown in place. Many in the community are already self-isolating. The decision comes on the heels of two people from the community who travelled to Vancouver and attended a conference where an attendee later tested positive.

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“People are concerned about that,” Head said.

The chief said they are prepared to distribute food to members if needed. Band office staff are still working remotely.

Leaders from the Muskoday First Nation are also taking steps to protect community members from the virus. The community’s school was closed March 13.

Chief Herman Crain explained the First Nation has a pandemic committee which is working with chief and council. He said instituting a lockdown was discussed but would be a challenge given where they are located.

“We have a number of highways that run north and south in our community that have provincial right of ways on them,” he said.

Crain said the majority of the community is practicing self-isolation. He said they are getting the message out to members about what they need to do to protect themselves. The band has also put in place restrictions for people visiting the community store.

“We’re only allowing two people in at a time,” he said.

Crain added there could be more changes coming as they were meeting with store staff Monday morning. Both the administration and health centre are operating with only essential staff in the buildings. People who have to come in need to call ahead to book an appointment.

“Flatten that curve is the term people want to use nowadays, so we’re working hard on that,” he said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn