COVID-19 restrictions ease in Coral Harbour after 10 days with no new cases

After 10 days without any new cases of COVID-19 reported in Coral Harbour, the community is seeing some public health restrictions ease.

Nunavut’s chief public health officer, Dr. Michael Patterson, announced the changes in a news release on Thursday.

“It is safe to ease restrictions in the community,” he said in the release.

Restaurants can now open to 25 per cent capacity and are no longer limited to take-out only.

Parks, playgrounds, and personal services like hairdressers can now open.

Outdoor gatherings are now limited to 50 people and indoor gatherings can now include 10 people plus household members, instead of only five.

Indoor public gatherings in community halls and fitness centres are limited to 25 people or 50 per cent capacity.

Churches are allowed 50 people, or 25 per cent capacity, and singing is not allowed.

Arenas can have 50 people or 50 per cent capacity, and no more than 50 people in the crowd.

Masks are still mandatory in every community.

The Government of Nunavut announced on Oct. 26 the active case count was down to zero.

Throughout October, the number of cases of the virus hovered around seven in Coral Harbour and peaked at eight on Oct. 7. The hamlet had a total case count of 11.

The outbreak is still considered ongoing, according to the Health Department, because 28 days need to pass without a new active case before an outbreak can be declared over.

COVID-19 vaccines are available to all Nunavummiut over the age of 12, the release states.