YELLOWKNIFE December 23, 2021 – There are concerns about potential community spread of COVID-19 infections in Nunavut. The current Travel Restrictions and Self-Isolation Requirements public health order (PHO) provides any Nunavut resident regardless of vaccination status access to the Northwest Territories with few restrictions or self-isolation requirements. Unfortunately, the NWT needs to pivot when possible community spread is occurring to protect the public health of NWT residents. The Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) is announcing a revision to the existing PHO that will go into effect at 5:00PM today.
The updated PHO will now be treating all residents travelling from or through Nunavut as though they are travellers from outside of the NWT. This will effectively terminate the travel bubble that has been in place for much of the pandemic.
Nunavut residents from areas with no active COVID-19 cases, or lower risk communities, are welcome to apply through ProtectNWT for an exemption that may reduce self-isolation requirements.
Richard Makohoniuk Manager, COVID Communications COVID-19 Coordinating Secretariat Department of Health and Social Services Government of the Northwest Territories richard_makohoniuk@gov.nt.ca