(Submitted photo/Floyd Seright - La Loche Air Hitchhikers)

By Nicole Reis

LA LOCHE COMMUNITY

Checkpoints eased and liquor stores open as COVID-19 cases decline in La Loche

Jun 4, 2020 | 6:00 PM

The northern village of La Loche has reopened its liquor stores today after facilities were closed on May 8 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Liquor store staff member Darrell Laprise told meadowlakeNOW he’s happy to finally reopen and activity at the store has been ‘non-stop.’

In a public community update on the local CHPN 88.9 MBC Radio Network in La Loche, Mayor Robert St. Pierre reported a current total of 12 active cases and 165 recoveries for a total of 183 reported cases of COVID-19.

Clearwater River Dene Nation Chief Teddy Clark reported zero active cases for more than 10 consecutive days and all 32 reported cases have recovered. St. Pierre is anticipating the remaining cases in La Loche will have recovered by next week.

The mayor reminded the public while liquor stores have reopened, large gatherings are still prohibited and physical distancing is still recommended.

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“They’ve still got limited hours and limited amounts to purchase once a day in the liquor store and the lounge. But come Monday, all those stipulations will change and we’ll go back to regular hours,” St. Pierre said.

Chief Teddy Clark said today is the last day for the reserve creek checkpoint to be monitored. Clearwater River reserve will have the checkpoint partially dismantled as the community will continue with curfew hours from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. That checkpoint will be established next to the Clearwater River school.

“We’re still going to have no vehicles coming or going,” he said. “That’s for both the community and the reserve.”

Métis Nation-Saskatchewan council member Leonard Montgrand said checkpoints in the northern corridor may come down on Monday. He encouraged community members to drink responsibly.

“Once we let our guard down it will come back on us,” he said. ”I don’t want things to go back to the way it was before and I know a lot of people in this town don’t want it to go back to the way it was.”

As active cases in the community are on the decline, leadership is working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority on a task force in the event of a second wave.

Deputy Mayor Randy Herman who has been translating reports into Dene language over the course of the outbreak thanked the community for its dedication in overcoming the outbreak.

“I want to thank everybody and I mean everybody,” he said. “Leadership, different people from different sectors all over the province. Especially the kids, their parents and all the community members, but we’re not out of the woods yet.”

The Northern store was reported to reopen tomorrow following a thorough cleaning after one staff member tested positive on June 1.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722