By Canadian Press

Yukon lifts some COVID-19 restrictions as active cases decline

Aug 4, 2021 | 1:07 PM

WHITEHORSE — The Yukon government has lifted a series of public health restrictions as active COVID-19 infections decline and the vaccination rate rises.

Starting today, the territory says masks are no longer required in indoor spaces but are strongly recommended when it’s difficult to practise physical distancing. 

It adds that shops, grocers, bars, restaurants, recreational centres and transit operators should be respected if they request that clients wear masks.

Self-isolation after domestic travel is no longer required for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, while bars and restaurants may return to full capacity. 

Yukon’s chief medical officer of health says mandatory masks and self-isolation are “no longer defensible measures” for such a highly vaccinated population. 

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Dr. Brendan Hanley says the latest cases are being linked to previously diagnosed infections and they’re not seeing widespread community transmission or clusters. 

Minister of Education Jeanie McLean told the same news conference that schools will return to “near-normal” operations this fall. 

Students won’t have to wear masks in the classroom, she says, but masks will be required for adults and kids aged five and up in common areas. School buses are set to resume normal operations with masks required for drivers and children five and up. 

There were 61 active COVID-19 infections in Yukon as of Tuesday out of 610 total cases reported since the pandemic began, with the majority diagnosed since June.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2021. 

The Canadian Press