MAYOR AND COUNCIL ASK VISITORS TO DELAY NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TO IQALUIT

NEWS RELEASE

COVID-19 AND CITY OF IQALUIT UPDATES

MAYOR AND COUNCIL ASK VISITORS TO DELAY NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TO IQALUIT

March 15, 2020 (Iqaluit, Nunavut) – Iqaluit Mayor Kenny Bell and City Council are asking that visitors delay their travel to Iqaluit to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to Iqaluit and the rest of Nunavut.  

At an emergency City Council meeting on March 15, Mayor Bell stated, "Iqaluit is a hub for travel to the region, and we must to do whatever we can to prevent the risk of infection in our community and the rest of Nunavut.   The health and well-being of our residents is our priority and we are urging people not to travel to Iqaluit, unless absolutely necessary.  Residents who have plans to travel outside Nunavut should also consider delaying their trip.”

The City also announced it has made changes to its Recreation programs and facility schedules. Most group activities and programs have been cancelled and the City will not be hosting events and group activities in response to the COVID-19 situation. The City is strongly encouraging local groups and organizations to follow suit.

Yesterday, 123Go!, the organizers of the annual Toonik Tyme festival, cancelled the event which was scheduled to take place in just three weeks, to "mitigate the risk of exposure to the community and volunteers".

On Friday, the City announced that it had cancelled all non-essential work travel for employees and consultants.  
“It's important that we do whatever we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to our community”, said Deputy Mayor Brewster.  "Iqaluit's vulnerable population groups are most at risk including elders, those living in crowded living situation and the homeless.  We must do what we can now to protect them."

The City will reassess the situation by April 5th, 2020 and notify the public of any changes.

For information on preventive measures, go to:
https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

For information on travel and related advisories go to:
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories

For information on how to self-isolate at home when you have COVID-19 go to:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-co...
 
For additional information,
Rod Mugford
City Clerk
City of Iqaluit
r.mugford@iqaluit.ca
979-5600