(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

COVID-19 response

Sturgeon Lake approves use of curfew and check stops, to combat COVID-19

Apr 8, 2020 | 2:00 PM

In recent weeks, a number of First Nations across the province have restricted access to communities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Starting Friday, there will be check points at the two main entrances to Sturgeon Lake First Nation west of Prince Albert.

Wesley Ballantyne is the band’s emergency management officer and told paNOW, the measures are a means to help monitor and control traffic, adding any workers deemed essential will be allowed in.

“During the daytime, if people need to go shopping in the city, they can come and go, so it’s not a total lockdown,” he explained.

A mandatory curfew has also been scheduled to take effect Friday night and will be in place from 9:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. Ballantyne said the vast majority of people in the community are respecting social distancing rules.

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“We have a thing from our health department saying how many people live in the house, and are they in good condition, so we have a little sign on our windows,” he said.

When asked how the band is doing controlling large social gatherings such as house parties, Ballantyne said the band’s leadership is working closely with the RCMP. Ballantyne added the onus also falls on community members to call police if they see suspicious activity.

“Our chief and council or security cannot go and check every door, every moment of the day so to speak,” he said. “The partying never stops no matter what time of day it is.”

According to a statement on the band’s Facebook page, no house gatherings of more than 10 people will be allowed, and warns RCMP will be called if the rules are broken. The statement also indicates representatives from Child and Family Services may be notified if there are children in the house.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell