COVID-19 Update May 29, 2020

Friday, 29 May 2020 18:02

Yukon Premier Sandy Silver and the Chief Medical Officer of Health provided a progress update on easing COVID-19 restrictions in Yukon.

Premier Silver and Dr. Hanley confirmed that if conditions continue trending positively Yukon is on track to begin Phase II on July 1.

Since May 15th the transition for lifting COVID-19 restrictions have seen a gradual shift in COVID-19 related restrictions. This includes the reopening of personal services, dine-in restaurants opening at 50 per cent capacity, day cares, day camps and recreational centres approved to operate. New guidelines are in place effective today that describe how to travel responsibly within Yukon and respect the wishes of communities and First Nations. Next week, territorial parks and campgrounds will open for the summer.

Once the transition to Phase II begins, additional restrictions will be lifted throughout July. This includes lifting travel restrictions between Yukon and British Columbia, which will allow for the free movement of Yukon and BC residents back and forth, with no requirement for 14-day self-isolation.

Decisions about how and when to move forwards or backwards through each phase of the plan continue to be guided by careful risk assessments and the six "criteria for transitioning between phases" including community engagement, public health capacity such as the capacity to contact trace and maintain fast testing turn around time.

Monitoring the status of the virus in neighbouring jurisdictions will continue to determine if it is safe to further lift restrictions. British Columbia has seen a significant decrease in cases of COVID-19 and continued progress containing the virus and flattening the curve, paving the way for the gradual lifting of some border restrictions.

Premier Sandy Silver said in a statement, "We recognize the impact that COVID-19 restrictions are having on our physical, emotional and economic wellbeing and are striving to reach the proper balance between public safety and Yukoners' desire to resume their lives. We are confident in our health care capacity, our ability to test, and our ability to track and contain this virus. It is that confidence, and all the skills we have gained in the past two months, that allow us to begin moving into Phase II of this plan."

All employers are now required to complete a COVID-19 Operational Plan to identify hazards and mitigate risks for staff and the public. Any organization wishing to have the plans of their event or activity reviewed by public health professionals can submit the details using an online form.

Restaurants can now offer dine-in services with an approved COVID-19 Operational Plan and territorial campgrounds will open on June 4th. Yukoners may responsibly travel within Yukon communities as long as they take precautions and respect the wishes of municipal and First Nations governments. You may shop in local stores and buy food in restaurants if they are open for your business.

Until there is a vaccine or effective and accessible treatments identified, measures will need to remain in place to limit the risk of infection in Yukon. With no new cases since April 20, Yukon remains one of the least restricted parts of the country. A Path Forward is a gradual and phased approach to easing current restrictions in the territory.

Yukoners can find up-to-date information at Yukon.ca/COVID-19.

More from CHON-FM Northern News

Coroner's Inquest sees footage of lifeless body ignored for more than 12 hours

The on-site paramedic called the incident of Darla Skookum's death “bizarre” because she had obviously passed away many hours earlier.
How We Walk with the Land and Water holds two open houses

The open houses gave citizens and relations an opportunity to share their vision for the Southern Lakes Region
Whitehorse Emergency Shelter staff not trained for emergencies, inquest hears

Last week inquest heard Whitehorse emergency shelter staff members testifying that they were not trained for the emergencies that caused the deaths of four Yukon women.
Premier pledges to meet with Yukoners living in tents to help them find housing

Audio

Yukon NDP House Leader Lane Tredger describes Premier Ranj Pillai's commitment as a bluff; says Pillai is "out of touch."
Whitehorse Emergency Shelter saw a higher presence of drugs after the Connective took over

One staff member while testifying, said things changed for the worse when Connective took over, as they saw a higher presence of drugs.
Whitehorse Shelter has recorded 144 overdoses between 2020 and 2022

144 overdoses has happened at the shelter between 2020 and 2022. Three were at least fatal, including Cassandra Warville and Myranda Tizya-Charlie, on Jan. 19, 2022.
Whitehorse Emergency Shelter understaffed and staff lacked training - inquest reveals

They said at the time of the incident, there was no clear policy or training available to staff on how to deal with overdose incidents nether were they trained on how to monitor intoxicated guests.
Yukon’s legislature recognizes 40 years of programming by CHON-FM/NNBY

Audio

Tributes to CHON-FM include special mention of the late Rockin' Terry Carlick
Coroner’s Inquest into Whitehorse Emergency Shelter deaths begins in Whitehorse

Loud screaming was heard and many broke into tears in painful disbelief when the CCTV footage showed shelter staff dragging the women's lifeless bodies from the shower room.
The Whitehorse Star says goodbye after over a century of publication

One of the last locally owned newspapers in Canada is closing its doors after 124 years of serving Yukoners; thanks staff, advertisers, and readers for being part of its rich history.
City of Whitehorse tables new bylaw to discourage abandoning buildings

If introduced, the bylaw would make annual permits mandatory for buildings left vacant for more than a month and would require owners to safeguard the building from fire and other hazards, maintain insurance and carry out snow and ice removal.
Yukon Party renews its criticism of Yukon Hospital Corporation funding following CBC article.

Audio

Health Critic Brad Cathers quoted documents acquired by the public broadcaster through an Access to Information request, while Minister McPhee stands by the funding of the Hospital Corporation.
Ah'Nezen! happens tonight at 5pm

Join Jennis for their last 'live' show from Kaska country
CHON-FM's Kaska-language coverage of hockey tournament gets national attention

You can hear CBC's national host interview Testloa Smith
Yukon Party criticizes the health minister's trip to Scotland

Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee spent seven days in Scotland following several rural health centre closures and service reductions in Yukon communities. McPhee hasn't visited Watson Lake in-person since 2021.
Whitehorse RCMP arrests one suspected to be involed with Victim Services Office break-in

A search warrant by Police officers with Whitehorse Detachment General Investigation Section and General Duty officers was executed where Kyle McCormick was known to reside and recovered additional items also believed to be taken from the break-in.
Yukon Native Hockey Tournament returns to Whitehorse

The 44th Annual Yukon Native Hockey Tournament will see 56 teams from the Yukon, Bc, and North West Terriotries attending one of the most anticipated social events of the year.
Community space in the former cafeteria in Jim Smith Building now open

The community space situated on the ground floor of the Jim Smith Building, which is located at 2071 2nd Avenue in Whitehorse, will be open starting Monday, March 18th and will continue to welcome visitors for the next six and a half weeks
Break-in at Whitehorse Victim Services office under inverstigation

Confidential files and other items are believed to have been accessed and individuals who have obtained services or may have been referenced in victims’ files through Victim Services may be affected.
Yukon's RCMP records historic seizure of cocaine in Dawson City

This seizure of cocaine is the largest cocaine seizure in the Yukon to date.