The Leadership of George Gordon First Nation have declared a State of Emergency effective immediately. COVID-19 cases continue to rise rapidly and pose an immediate and serious risk to our members. This decision is made in order to protect all of our members and vulnerable citizens (including elders ad children).
We have past the time of mere social distancing and are now under full isolation beginning immediately.
EFFECTIVE Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 10:00am GGFN will be under “Enhanced Community Isolation” util 10:00am June 23, 2020 where upon a review and recommendation will be mandated to the GGFN Leadership.
THE FOLLOWING security measures that will take EFFECT immediately beginning Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 10:00am.
SECURITY CHECKPOINTS ON RESERVE
- There will be 24/7 Security Personnel with Checkpoints at each main and secondary entrances to the Nation;
- All non-essential travel will be prohibited;
- Travel for medical appointments, groceries, and supplies will be considered as essential travel;
- All members returning to the Nation shall follow the recommended social isolation recommendations;
- Out of province travel, if essential; will require a mandatory 14 day self-isolation upon the members return,
- The security of the Nation will be be enforced along with the help of RCMP;
- Visitor restrictions will be enforce and non-residents will not be admitted.
- On-reserve members, emergency staff and essential delivery supplies will be permitted passed the security checkpoint. Please keep your passenger load to a minimum.
- You will be refused passage if your travel plans are deemed unnecessary.
PROHIBITION ON ANY GATHERINGS
- All gatherings are prohibited within the community of GGFN. Funerals will be considered exception and families will be supported with sanitation supplies, if they are available. Every interaction with another person, including family is an opportunity for the virus to spread.
COMMUNITY CURFEW
There will be a mandatory community curfew in place between 10:00pm and 5:30am during the enhanced community isolation period. The Community Curfew is being applied to protect the Health & Safety of our Community Members during the Pandemic. Community Members must follow and participate in the following guidelines:
- Access to and from the community will not be permitted during community curfew unless the access in an emergency;
- Traffic inside the community during the curfew will not be permitted unless it is an emergency;
- Members who request access during the community curfew will be turned away at the security checkpoint, any infractions will be reported to the local RCMP.
MEMBER RESPONSIBILITY
We love our families and community. It is each of our personal duty and responsibility to respect the advice of our Health Care professionals and Leadership
We beseech our members to adhere to our directive so we can collectively survive this dangerous pandemic. No one is immune. The only way we can prevent it is by not being exposed. We only have one opportunity and that time is now.
If you present any symptoms, dont panic but its important to self-isolate and immediately contact Saskatchewan Health Services by dialing 811 from your device or home-phone and follow instructions on getting tested. Do everything in your power to seek help at the earliest opportunity and please limit social visiting in the community.
WE ARE URGING all on reserve and off reserve membership to isolate their families and take extra precautions such as enhanced cleaning, personal hygiene – washing hands and sanitizing. Leadership will continue to work proactively including managing members questions and concerns. This is an unprecedented time and we need your cooperation during this Pandemic, please help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Visitor Restrictions will include only essential services available in Band Administration, NO visitors and road restrictions will apply to all outside visitors.
PLEASE NOT THAT THESE SECURITY MEASURE CAN AND MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME BASED ON THE TREND OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE PROTECTION OF OUR MEMBERS.
Sincerely,
Chief and Council
