Government of Yukon looking to ease COVID-19 restrictions

Wednesday, 10 March 2021 13:27

Yukon Premier Sandy Silver alongside Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley announced at the COVID 19 update today that grade 10 to 12 students in Whitehorse will be able to return to full time, in person learning next month.

“This will involve planning and organization in the coming weeks. Dr. Hanley and his team and educational officials will be working with principals, school councils of the three high schools in Whitehorse, as well as the Yukon teachers’ association to ensure that these students can return to full time learning as soon as it is safe to do so, and like I say… the forecast right now is for next month.” Said Silver

Dr. Hanley says he is confident students can return to the class safely. If there are outbreaks in schools, the government will continue to have contingencies for online learning place.

Hanley says the government will work on guidelines for sports and summer camps to resume.

Premier Silver says the government hopes to make adjustments to increase social bubbles and allow for larger gatherings in the coming months.

Silver also says he has talked with other premiers about opening travel bubbles. He didn’t say a date for when bubbles could open but he did say he will let Yukoners know ahead of time so they can plan accordingly.

The government’s goal right now is to get 75 per cent of the adult population vaccinated. Dr. Hanley says then restrictions can be reduced faster.

“These decisions will be guided by our rate of vaccination in the territory in the weeks ahead. The faster we can achieve a high level of immunity, the more likely we will be able to ramp up our reduction of current restrictions, such as how many people you can see without needing to take precautionary measures.”

Nearly half of the eligible population has yet to be immunized.

There are zero active cases of COVID-19 in the territory.

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