Nunavik faces new COVID-19 restrictions as virus spreads

‘There is a risk of catching COVID-19 everywhere in Nunavik,’ warns regional health board

The Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services has put “red alert” restrictions on Salluit, while the rest of the territory is under “orange level” restrictions. (Image courtesy of the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services)

By Nunatsiaq News

A third Nunavik community is under “red alert” and airports are facing tight restrictions as the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services imposes new COVID-19 measures across the region.

On Wednesday, the health board reported six new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nunavik, leaving the region with a total of 25 active cases. There may also be unconfirmed cases across the region, the board said.

“The risk is now the highest it has ever been,” the board announced on Facebook. “There is a risk of catching COVID-19 everywhere in Nunavik.”

Salluit, where there is one active case and people under observation, has been added to the region’s list of “red alert” municipalities. The community’s COVID-19 case involves a person who is not a traveller. Public health staff are investigating how the person got the infection and to identify contacts, screen them and isolate them.

On Monday, Kangirsuk and Ivujivik were placed under “red alert” restrictions. Flights to and from Salluit have been suspended until further notice.

The health board says the community faces a “complete shutdown,” with all non-essential places closed and non-essential activities cancelled.

All other municipalities in Nunavik are under “orange alert” restrictions, which include a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people and a ban on travel between communities. Masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces and workplaces.

Airports in the region are now “restricted to passengers and authorized personnel only,” the Kativik Regional Government announced Wednesday.

“Passengers will be allowed to circulate in the terminal building only during the period needed before the departure and or after the arrival of their flights,” said Rhéal Séguin, a KRG spokesperson, in a statement. “Passengers will be asked to limit their time in the terminal building for as short a period as possible.”

The KRG is asking that all residents 12 years of age and older get vaccinated against COVID-19.

“In order to protect elders, loved-ones, family and friends Nunavimmiut need to get vaccinated,” Séguin said.

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(21) Comments:

  1. Posted by Not good on

    This is very serious. It’s finally the result of a job not well done. As Covid finally arrives through out Nunavik, we can traced the reasons very easily. Firstly, Nunavik Health failed to interpret Covid and the variants adequately. Thereby allowing a premature opening of an otherwise tightly secured screening process. Secondly, the population failed to understand the seriousness of Covid, and displayed ignorance in behaviours by continuously not applying the procedures of mask, distancing, and gatherings. Plus add in , the number of people who are so misinformed as to not be vaccinated, so here comes Covid, and it’s not going to be good for Nunavik.

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    • Posted by Paul on

      The biggest reason for the outbreak is a lack of vaccination by the public and gather in groups

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      • Posted by Vaccinated on

        I believe the biggest reason is Facebook. My grandparents told me that people will see all the same things on all fronts of media. When things are not going well in the world.
        Facebook is it. Spreading false information. Should be abolished.

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        • Posted by S on

          I have no sentiment for or against ‘social media’, in this post.

          I’m aware, however, that ALL media constitutes ‘social media’. That includes BNN, CBC, CNN, CTV, Facebook, Globe and Mail, Nunatsiaq News (and its comment section), PBS, Readers Digest, TSN and Sportsnet. Thinking otherwise is an integral part of society’s ails.

          • Posted by Victor on

            Oops forgot FOX as the biggest mess that calls itself news.

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            • Posted by You forgot local fm on

              The local fm stations gives out news of so and so to call this number and that number. The announcers are not educated or trained. They even have young school drop outs on the air, many trying to adversely interpret Covid and the fake news into confusion on top of confusion. Today with world exposure, the management of the local fm s in Nunavik need take the announcements more seriously. It’s ridiculous to turn on the local fm in the morning and all day long , hearing religious fanatics reading from the same bible that the churches read from , when they send our children off to far away schools. Thank god for satellite and for CBC out of Nunavut and Montreal.

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  2. Posted by Let’s watch and be concerned on

    Let’s watch and have big concerns , but let’s not only watch, let’s be active in doing our part, with the procedures and get vaccinated. As the days come and go, we’ll hear the list going up and up, no Nunavik community will be spared.

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  3. Posted by Vaccinated on

    Sorry to say, but the unvaccinated should be charged with attempted murder to the population of Nunavik.
    You are endangering your loved ones and friends. Think of your grandparents.

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    • Posted by You say endangering life on

      When it comes to endangering life, I got more concerns in an area of behaviour far greater threat than covid concerns. Whenever you see certain people coming out of the coop store with a case of beer or even less, then that’s a concern to the health and we’ll bring of life. In about an hour after the purchase of that beer, the drunken drivers are then a big threat to themselves and everyone on the road.

  4. Posted by Concerned and vaccinated on

    It has been very disturbing to hear people saying this is a ”hoax”, now that the lock downs are happening what do they say? Get vaccinated! No one wants to live in a lock down but this could be short term or long term and either way is not good for our well being.

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  5. Posted by What needs to happen, what might happen. on

    Just imagine Inuit of our region in past pandemics. How so many have died, and was willing to get vaccinated, but died because vaccine wasn’t available. They surely would have cooperated and took it , if it was there. But today, we have better opportunities and medical supplies, but living in fear and confusion, and misinformation. Saddest of all. I’m afraid it will take someone, of more than one, to die from this Covid in Nunavik, in order for the message to get through. That’s even sadder.

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    • Posted by S on

      You are correct on one point, ‘what needs’; the one about “living in fear and confusion, and misinformation”

      Far too many have drank the kool-aid and are content to be told what to know. They cring in their homes, wear masks when alone in their car or walking at grrat distance from others. They’d be content to be vaccinated against every little cold virus and enforce their beliefs on others.

      Yup, plenty of fear, confusion and misinformation. A chunk of society won’t survive if the mania continues to spread

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      • Posted by And there’s others on

        Lots of confusion. Nunavik society is saturated with confusion on drinking and using recreational drugs also. Confusion and misinformation leaves to a major breakdown of society. Covid will never have an impact like we see in the confusion and misinformation on how to live in harmony with alcohol and drugs. I rather see a person misinformed by wearing a mask alone in a car, rather than a full car load of drunks and drugged causing dangerous drinking in Nunavik towns aka, kuujjuaq.

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      • Posted by “Any other cold virus” on

        I don’t think that this is any other cold virus.. look at the stats.

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  6. Posted by Whos voice on Nunavik on

    The idiots on “your voice on Nunavik” are out in fully force . Idiots in an argument over Covid this and that. It’s amazing how Covid has done such a great job to bring these idiots out in the open. An idiot who writes their name on such an the wall is the biggest idiot of all.

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  7. Posted by Some praying and not showing for work now. on

    Nunavik is literally crippled with no workers to begin with. It’s a wonder there’s an economy. The government input if it wasn’t there would be real poverty’. Put Covid into the equation and not even thinking about the serious health implications, but think of those who normally don’t show up to work, and now all the laziest are staying home with using Covid prevention as an excuse, just to stay off work and waiting for their dope and beer. Out all night long drunk , stone, and going into ditches.

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    • Posted by Victor on

      It’s a wonder Quebec has an economy. They would not were it not for them raping indigenous lands.

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      • Posted by Not useful on

        Too many people in Nunavik don’t want to get up in the morning and go to work. You can’t get gas, grocery stores don’t have cashiers. School and daycares have terrible trouble getting local staff to come to work. It’s the same in organizations, no shows. Someone got to run the economy. If local people continue in these large numbers , not going to work, then soon, more southerners will fill the positions. But , when it’s time for beer sales , coop stores are overcrowded, with trouble makers to be. How many I wonder, since they had less money from paycheque by not showing up to work, how many buy beer in line ups with elders money?

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  8. Posted by Getting on with life on

    People in southern Quebec are getting on with life. Covid is still present, but mostly contained. Children are back to school in most areas , although there’s some warm areas with caution. But here in Nunavik, we’re just beginning to have some serious problems with Covid. This is because of the gatherings, and not following protocol, including low vaccinated. In Nunavik we’re being told now by authorities that our children are at risk, when the south has children and vulnerable people put in high regard ever since the beginning of the pandemic. Nunavik has too much ignorance in the population.

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  9. Posted by Blank on

    Damn the pan, it is more rules this week in town. Hear construction is about to close down until things get better.

  10. Posted by Investigative on

    Who’s bring it in to Nunavik, is it the vaccinated or the unvaccinated, or both, is it inuit traveling back home, or is it individual or groups from south that come and go?

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