Attawapiskat First Nation has imposed a partial lockdown after the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Moose Factory over the weekend.
According to a council statement, the restrictions will be in effect until Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Attawapiskat is one of four First Nation communities in the James Bay area that has taken measures to protect its residents and slow the spread of the virus in response to the confirmed case.
There is a curfew in Attawapiskat for the general public from midnight to 6 a.m. For people aged 14 years and under it starts at 9 p.m.
Weeneebayko General Hospital charter for patients and escorts is still available and essential workers have access to the community in order to provide healthcare services, reads the statement.
Wearing masks when leaving residences is mandatory, and there are designated bins and wood stoves for mask and glove disposal.
Northern Stores and MKS charters carrying food and essential supplies will continue to operate.
All non-essential charters and regular passenger flights by Air Creebec and Thunder Airline are temporarily cancelled. Returning travellers must self-isolate for 14 days and, according to the statement, those wishing to leave or come back to the community won’t be able to do so until after the lockdown is lifted Sept. 29.
The Porcupine Health Unit is working with the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) and the public health department to investigate the confirmed case in Moose Factory Island and "ensure" the individual is isolated and close contacts are notified.
“In general, for COVID-19, a close contact is anyone who was within two metres or six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes during the time of infectivity,” reads a joint statement released by WAHA and the PHU on Sept. 12.
Health authorities advise people to isolate immediately and call their local assessment centre or healthcare provider if they develop any symptoms like fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat or nausea.
