'I'm begging you: Get vaccinated,' Yukon premier implores public while announcing rise in COVID-19 cases

Yukon Premier Sandy Silver implored all Yukoners on Wednesdayto get vaccinated against COVID-19, saying there has been "widespread and untraceable" community transmission in Whitehorse.

"Please, I'm begging you: Get vaccinated," Silver said. He noteda "high risk of COVID-19 exposure throughout the city and increased risk in our rural communities."

Silver made the comments alongside the Yukon's acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott, while they gave an update on the territory's COVID-19 situation.

Of 156 active cases in Yukon Wednesday, 108 werein Whitehorse, Elliott said.

WATCH | Yukon Premier Sandy Silver talks about fast-tracking new measures:

Yukon fast-tracking proof of vaccine requirement

3 years ago

Duration 1:17

As part of a response to 'widespread and untraceable' transmission of COVID-19 in Whitehorse, Yukon Premier Sandy Silver said the government is fast-tracking a proof of vaccine requirement for designated settings.

Earlier this week, the Yukon government declared a state of emergencyafter the territory reported 80 new COVID-19 infections over a three-day period, andannouncednew health regulations,including a proof-of-vaccination requirement.

While the new rules take effectSaturday, the territory saidin a statement that Yukoners are "strongly encouraged" to adopt the measures immediately.

One of themeasures is mandatory proof of vaccinationagainst COVID-19 in designated settings for those aged 12and up.

Proof of vaccination will be needed at bars, restaurants, gyms, recreation facilities, art galleries, theatres, and hair and nail salons, but not toaccess essential services likehealth care, grocery stores, banks, pharmacies, public transportation and shelters, the territory said in a news release.

The release said afree Yukon-specific QR code reader app is being developed solocal businesses and organizations can verify vaccination status.

People can showpaper or digital copies of their proof of vaccination credentials, and they'll need to show a piece of government-issued ID.

WATCH | Missed the news conference? Watch it here:

With communitytransmission in Whitehorse, the territory is no longer issuing exposure notices since itconsiders all community activities to be a potential source of transmission. Flight exposures will continue until Nov.15, at which point they will discontinue, as the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)is also ending its COVID-19 flight exposure reporting, Elliott said.

She recommended avoiding travel between communities, and while schools can remain open, students should wear masks at their desks.

Vaccination rates on the rise

When asked how the territory went from few measures to a state of emergency, Elliott cited the circulation of a highly transmissible variant and people having more gatherings indoors due to cooler weather.

"We have a more transmissible virus that's causing severe illness amongst younger people,young adults. We haven't seen that in the past," she said. "It's winter.People are moving indoors and people are having large number of contacts."

Asked why school sports were suspended but club sports and recreational sports were allowed to continue,Elliott said it's a "short lived, temporary measure that we are using to reduce group sizes and contact sizes and mixing.

"I'm hoping that we'll be able to get these things back and going as soon as possible."

Vaccination rates have been on the rise too with over 90 per cent of those 12 years and olderwith first doses and 86 per centwith second doses, she said.

"Each person who gets their shot is a person who is more protected, less likely to get infected to spread the virus and to get severely ill," Elliott said.

Frontline workers being mistreated

Silver said the territory has heard that community nurses and other frontline staff are being insulted, verbally abused and even physically abused by people who are angry about the new requirements.

"There are growing concerns about their safety. This is absolutely unacceptable and it needs to stop," Silver said.

"Our territory has a dedicated team of healthcare professionals that have been working flat out for 20 monthsto help all of us to help our families, our neighbours, our friendsto stay healthy and safe," he said.

"Not very Yukon of us."