Old Crow asking for 2-week 'community-wide' isolation as precaution

The community of Old Crow, Yukon, is asking for residents and visitors to voluntarilyself-isolate for two weeks out of "an abundance of caution."

At leastthreecommunity members were recently atpotential COVID-19 exposure sites in Whitehorse, saidVuntut Gwitchin ChiefDana Tizya-Tramm. They are now isolating, but they had been in the community for several days before the exposure notices came out.

"Right now we're asking for a voluntary self-isolation, community-wide," said Tizya-Tramm, adding that the recommendation went into effect Thursday.

The Yukon government announced several exposure sites in Whitehorse after confirmingthe territory's 26th COVID-19 case on Wednesday. The territory's 25th case was also out of Whitehorse, and also came with a few exposure sitesin the city.

Nobody in Old Crow is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms at this time, Tizya-Trammsaid.

He saidthese notices hit home for him personally, as he had been in close contact with one of the people who was potentially exposed. Tizya-Trammis now isolating at home with family.

He called it a "soft isolation," as there is still a skeleton crew in the government office, and the community school will remain open.

At this time, the community only wants people coming into Old Crow for essential reasons, he said. Anyone who comes to the community is also being askedto self-isolate, except for essential workers.

Tizya-Tramm urgedpeople in the community to monitor for symptoms.

"It feels like our community is holding its breath and just waiting to see what happens next," he said.

Meanwhile, the government has ended the B.C. travel bubble, meaning anyone entering the territory must self-isolate for 14 days.

Yukon Premier Sandy Silver said Thursday that people should "think carefully" about travel within the territory.

Tizya-Trammsaid they decided toisolate Old Crow out of "an abundance of caution." He said they are co-ordinating a location where people who exhibit symptoms can get tested.

He said it would be "heartbreaking" to lose an elder in the community.

"This is the safest route we can go," he said.

The Yukon government has asked anyonewho was at the following locations during the the times listed tocall the COVID-19 testing centrein Whitehorse, or their community's health centre, if they develop symptoms:

• Starbucks onMain Street inWhitehorse, onNov. 12 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., orNov. 13 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Starbucks onChilkoot Way inWhitehorse, onNov. 14 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
• Better Bodies inWhitehorse, onNov. 12 between 6:30 p.m. and closing, or Nov.13 between 6:30 p.m. and closing.
• Diwali Festival at 120 Copper Rd. in Whitehorse, on Nov.14between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Giorgio's Cuccina inWhitehorse, on Nov. 14 between 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
• Tony's Pasta and Seafood House in the SKKY hotel,on the Alaska Highway in Whitehorse, on Nov. 14 between 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
• Listers Motor Sports, between 8:30 a.m. and noon on Tuesday, Nov.10.
• Save-On-Foods, before 1 p.m. on Nov. 6.
• A&W restaurant, between 3 and6:30 p.m. on Nov. 8.