The Snuneymuxw First Nation has put a stay-at-home order after a spike in active COVID-19 cases and is asking for expedited access to vaccinations.
“Our Nation has confirmed five more test positive cases for COVID-19 in our community, for a total of 12 active cases,” says a letter from Chief Mike Wyse posted on the Snuneymuxw First Nation website on Sunday. “The rate of transmission in our community is rising and we all need to help flatten the curve.”
The order, approved Friday by the Snuneymuxw chief and council, is in effect until Jan. 15. It asks residents to leave their homes only for essential reasons such as health emergencies or getting groceries.
Access to Snuneymuxw reserves is limited to residents and essential service providers, and checkpoints are in place. The band’s office, daycare, general store, gym, wellness centre, youth centre and forestry offices are closed to the public until further notice.
“Significantly reducing movement and interactions within our community is critical at this time,” Wyse said. “The more you go outside your home and interact and gather with people, the risk for transmission increases.”
In-class learning for students who live on reserve has been suspended for two weeks, according to a letter from Wyse and Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools board chairwoman Charlene McKay. Parents are expected to be contacted by Wednesday. Remote learning will be in place.
The Snuneymuxw is working with Indigenous Services Canada, the First Nations Health Authority, Island Health, and Emergency Management B.C. and others “to support the needs of our Nation.”
Isolation trailers and other supports are on the way, said Wyse, asking people to be vigilant, take safety precautions, and to reach out for help.
“What we are experiencing is nobody’s fault and we are not immune to the virus,” he said. “We are resilient people and we will get through this.”
Anyone with questions about the order is invited to contact the Snuneymuxw Emergency Response Co-ordinator Samara Aitken at [email protected] or 1-613-218-9553.
