Travellers to Nunavik must continue to do 14-day quarantine

Nunavik health officials are reminding travellers to the region that they must continue to self-quarantine for a 14-day period.

The Quebec government announced on Aug. 28 that it was reducing the period of isolation for individuals with COVID-19 symptoms from 14 days to 10.

But the new measure does not apply to the required 14-day quarantine for people travelling to Nunavik.

Travellers must complete that quarantine either in the south, in Nunavik, or a combination of both, before they can circulate freely in Nunavik communities, the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services said this week.

Any individual who tests positive for COVID-19 or comes into contact with a person with a confirmed case must also do preventive isolation for a 14-day period.

Health authorities hope to maintain strict regulations around travel to and from Nunavik, especially now that Canadian North and Air Inuit have resumed flights between the North and south.

All passengers must wash or disinfect their hands, or both, in the boarding area, before boarding the aircraft.

Handmade masks and face coverings will no longer be allowed on board; instead, the airlines are supplying three-ply masks to all passengers aged 12 and over, which must be worn for the duration of the flight.

Nunavik has seen a total of 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since last April, which were contained to three communities, though there have been no deaths.

The health board said it is working with its public health department to prepare a plan in case there is a second outbreak of COVID-19 in Nunavik.

As part of that plan, health officials would set up a mobile hospital in the gymnasium of the Kuujjuaq Forum.

But the hockey season will go ahead and the arena will continue to be used. Only in the event of COVID-19 cases would activities be suspended, and public facilities closed, the health board said.