COVID-19 Update May 29, 2020

Friday, 29 May 2020 18:02

Yukon Premier Sandy Silver and the Chief Medical Officer of Health provided a progress update on easing COVID-19 restrictions in Yukon.

Premier Silver and Dr. Hanley confirmed that if conditions continue trending positively Yukon is on track to begin Phase II on July 1.

Since May 15th the transition for lifting COVID-19 restrictions have seen a gradual shift in COVID-19 related restrictions. This includes the reopening of personal services, dine-in restaurants opening at 50 per cent capacity, day cares, day camps and recreational centres approved to operate. New guidelines are in place effective today that describe how to travel responsibly within Yukon and respect the wishes of communities and First Nations. Next week, territorial parks and campgrounds will open for the summer.

Once the transition to Phase II begins, additional restrictions will be lifted throughout July. This includes lifting travel restrictions between Yukon and British Columbia, which will allow for the free movement of Yukon and BC residents back and forth, with no requirement for 14-day self-isolation.

Decisions about how and when to move forwards or backwards through each phase of the plan continue to be guided by careful risk assessments and the six "criteria for transitioning between phases" including community engagement, public health capacity such as the capacity to contact trace and maintain fast testing turn around time.

Monitoring the status of the virus in neighbouring jurisdictions will continue to determine if it is safe to further lift restrictions. British Columbia has seen a significant decrease in cases of COVID-19 and continued progress containing the virus and flattening the curve, paving the way for the gradual lifting of some border restrictions.

Premier Sandy Silver said in a statement, "We recognize the impact that COVID-19 restrictions are having on our physical, emotional and economic wellbeing and are striving to reach the proper balance between public safety and Yukoners' desire to resume their lives. We are confident in our health care capacity, our ability to test, and our ability to track and contain this virus. It is that confidence, and all the skills we have gained in the past two months, that allow us to begin moving into Phase II of this plan."

All employers are now required to complete a COVID-19 Operational Plan to identify hazards and mitigate risks for staff and the public. Any organization wishing to have the plans of their event or activity reviewed by public health professionals can submit the details using an online form.

Restaurants can now offer dine-in services with an approved COVID-19 Operational Plan and territorial campgrounds will open on June 4th. Yukoners may responsibly travel within Yukon communities as long as they take precautions and respect the wishes of municipal and First Nations governments. You may shop in local stores and buy food in restaurants if they are open for your business.

Until there is a vaccine or effective and accessible treatments identified, measures will need to remain in place to limit the risk of infection in Yukon. With no new cases since April 20, Yukon remains one of the least restricted parts of the country. A Path Forward is a gradual and phased approach to easing current restrictions in the territory.

Yukoners can find up-to-date information at Yukon.ca/COVID-19.

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