Vaccine proof, quarantine no longer required for travel within Nunavik

Nunavik’s regional health board has eased several travel restrictions, as well as restrictions on gatherings and other activities.

Proof of vaccination and quarantining are no longer required for travellers flying from one Nunavik community to another as of Monday, says the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services.

Travellers within the region are also no longer required to undergo COVID-19 testing and fill out a pre-departure form with the health board.

Restrictions remain in place for travellers hoping to enter Nunavik from the south. Those travellers must still provide proof of vaccination and undergo testing before and after arriving at their destination. Travellers who are staying in Nunavik for less than 72 hours are only required to undergo pre-departure screening.

Among other restrictions that have been lifted, residents who have received at least two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine are only required to quarantine for five days if they test positive or if they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive. For people who have not received two vaccine doses, the quarantine period for positive cases and close contacts remains 10 days.

Bars, gyms and other indoor activities and community gatherings have been allowed to reopen at limited capacities, and with proof of vaccination for everyone 13 and older. Proof of vaccination is not required for school activities and church gatherings.

The capacity for private gatherings in homes has been increased to 10 people, and private gatherings in rented rooms can include up to 50 people with proof of vaccination. Residents in elder homes can have two vaccinated visitors per day, and they are allowed to leave for private get-togethers.

COVID-19 cases in Nunavik have dwindled over the past few weeks.

According to the most recent update on Friday, there were 166 active cases in the region, with most communities reporting fewer than 10.

“As long as the epidemiological situation is kept under control and health-care centres can continue to provide appropriate healthcare, sanitary measures could be alleviated more quickly to come back to a more normal and less restrictive way of living,” the health board said in a Facebook post.