Tla’amin Nation has issued a state of emergency after being notified of four lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 and a number of residents experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
According to a media release from the Tla’amin Nation, the Tla’amin Emergency Operations Centre is activated and the nation is working closely with Vancouver Coastal Health and First Nations Health Authority to address the outbreak.
The release stated that during the morning of September 8, the Tla’amin Nation legislature met to issue the health state of emergency. Tla’amin residents are being asked to share information with family and neighbours.
The first item is that it is time to shelter in place, according to the release. Tla’amin Nation is issuing a 72-hour shelter in place order intended to slow the spread of the virus so that public health officials can complete contact tracing. The shelter in place order was effective as of 5 pm on September 8.
“This means that wherever you are is where you stay for the next 72 hours,” the release stated. “During this time, access to the Tla’amin Nation is being limited to one single access point. We are strongly encouraging people to stay home.”
The second matter is Tla’amin Nation will care for its most vulnerable.
“Our health and home and community care teams continue to run safety checks on our most vulnerable citizens,” the release stated. “Testing is available.”
Tla’amin Nation will issue a daily update for the duration of the state of emergency at 4 pm.
Hegus Clint Williams made a statement in the release: “We are a strong and resilient community and we will work our way through this. However, it is time to attack this virus by controlling the spread aggressively with a community lockdown. We ask our community members to abide by and be respectful of this lockdown and we also ask our friends and neighbours to respect this as well by not having any unnecessary visits within our community.
Hegus and legislators thank you for your cooperation at this difficult time. We will get through this together. Stay home, stay safe and stay kind.”
Tla’amin members with questions can call 604.578.0447.
