A checkpoint has been set up entering and exiting Sucker River. (Devin Daniel Bernatchez/Facebook)

By Derek Cornet

COVID-19

PBCN, LLRIB communities lockdown as coronavirus reappears in region

Oct 8, 2020 | 4:55 PM

All Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) communities have been locked down after coronavirus cases appeared in three this week.

The lockdowns were in place as of Oct. 8 at 7 a.m. and will continue until further notice. That’s according to a letter sent to residents by Chief Peter Beatty, which noted all non-PBCN members and non-residents will not be allowed to enter the reserves. So far, four coronavirus cases have been identified in Deschambeault Lake and Southend.

“The cases were all linked to the Full Gospel Outreach Centre event in Prince Albert,” said Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka, the medical health officer for Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority. “Some of our activities right now include the contact tracing investigation to identify those individuals who have been in contact with the cases, and also identifying individuals who attended the events in Prince Albert between Sept. 14 and Oct. 4.”

The letter sent to band members also mentions all vehicles entering the communities will be searched and no one will be allowed entry unless they submit to one. It also states no parties will be tolerated and, due to a limited supply of food and essential items in the communities, residents will be permitted to leave for grocery shopping and medical appointments on days designated by local councillors.

Also, as of Oct. 8, RCMP detachments in Deschambeault Lake, Southend and Pelican Narrows are restricting access to their buildings to support recent community lockdowns. That means front counter services will be for emergencies only.

Podium finish

Carlton boys claim third at 5A provincials, first provincial medal in volleyball since 2014

46m ago

Raiders win 4-1, win 4 in a row

Mrsic dominance continues as Raiders route Oil Kings

3h ago

Raising awareness

MADD Prince Albert launches 37th annual Project Red Ribbon

18h ago

“Anyone calling for service should not notice a difference in policing services in their communities,” an RCMP media release states. “We understand people who live in smaller, remote communities are worried about the spread of COVID-19. We share this concern and are taking these measures to do our part to protect the communities.”

Dr. Ndubuka explained during the first wave of the virus earlier this year, it was learned limiting community travel and access helps significantly in containing an outbreak, particularly in the northern Saskatchewan. With a long weekend up coming for Thanksgiving, he wants to remind northerners to celebrate it in a safe way.

“Use virtual platforms like FaceTime and video calls as alternates to in-person visits,” Ndubuka said. “We have done so well in responding to the first wave, [but] we are not out of the woods yet so please not let our guards down at this point.”

Lac La Ronge Indian Band communities join lockdown

Travel restrictions are also in place in Stanley Mission and Sucker River with non-residents allowed to enter until further notice. Essential services will continue and residents will be permitted to leave for certain activities.

“Community members are encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing when going into public places outside the community,” a letter to Stanley Mission residents notes. “The checkstop and access restrictions are being implemented for the safety of our community.”

Keethanow Elementary School in Stanley Mission has also closed as a precautionary measure and will remain so until Oct. 13. The school will be sanitized during this time.

As of Oct. 13, masks will be required upon entry at six stores operated by Keethanow Group of Businesses including Keethanow Corner Store, Keethanow Gas Bar, Keethanow Lumber, Keethanow Supermarket, Hall Lake Gas Bar and Sucker River Store.

–

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno