CAFN COVID-19 Bulletin 2: March 20, 2020
March 20, 2020
Bulletin 2:
CAFN COVID-19 Planning and Response
Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) is taking a proactive approach to slow the spread of COVID-19 to our communities and the Yukon. By actively taking precautions now, we have the ability to limit the spread and save lives.
While things continue to change rapidly, CAFN is continuing a daily bulletin (Monday to Friday) to update Citizens on our response. You can find it at CAFN.ca, on our Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Facebook page, and by email. We will also distribute the bulletin door-to-door in CAFN communities as frequently as possible.
What should CAFN Citizens do?
We strongly recommend that community members follow all health guidance by the governments of Yukon and Canada, including practicing social distancing.
Social distancing is an effective way to reduce the spread of illness. This means making changes in your everyday routines to minimize close contact with others, including:
- avoiding non-essential gatherings;
- avoiding common greetings, such as handshakes;
- avoiding crowded places such as stores when they are busy or community events;
- limiting contact with people at higher risk like older adults and those in poor health; and
- keeping a distance of at least two arm-lengths ‒ which is about two metres ‒ from others as much as possible.
Together, we can slow the spread of COVID-19 by making a conscious effort to keep a physical distance between each other.
What new steps is CAFN taking?
With direction from Chief and Council and in keeping with recommendations by the Yukon Chief Medical Officer of Health:
- All CAFN offices and public facilities are closed to the public until April 15 or until further notice. This includes all offices, the youth centre and daycare, Da Kų Cultural Centre, community halls and all other public spaces.
- Contact information: You can continue to reach us at our main office at (867) 634-4200. You can also contact staff by email.
What services will continue?
CAFN continues to provide Essential Services including:
- Municipal Services: water delivery, garbage collection, road maintenance.
- Property Services: emergency repairs and property management.
- Communications as noted above.
- Finance including income assistance and emergency funds.
- Income Assistance.
- Community Wellness support by our Case Managers, Elders Program and Community Care staff.
- Chief and Council and the Executive Council Office staff continue to carry out the important business of the CAFN government, including our response to COVID-19.
Ongoing Measures
- All CAFN gatherings are cancelled or postponed until further notice.
- Vulnerable or at-risk Citizens who do not have family to assist and may require extra support may contact Brenda Asp at (867) 634-5389 or [email protected].
- We will continue to share new information with Citizens regularly, including resources and updates from the governments of Yukon and Canada.
What is the Government of Yukon doing?
In addition to increased support and information by Yukon Health and Social Services, new Yukon actions include:
- Setting up a new respiratory assessment centre at the Yukon Convention Centre.
- Offering an online COVID-19 assessment tool.
- Working to improve the 811 service.
Continued actions include:
- Suspending classes at Yukon public schools until April 15, 2020.
- Closing public recreation centres (including the Canada Games Centre) and libraries and closing hospitals to visitors.
For full details for Yukoners on COVID-19 visit: Yukon.ca
What is the Government of Canada doing?
The Government of Canada is taking new actions daily to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and manage its impacts on society. The Prime Minister addresses Canadians daily between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Yukon time on radio and TV. For the most current information visit: Canada.ca
Questions?
All Citizens and community members can continue to contact us at (867) 634-4200.