CAFN COVID-19 Bulletin 5: March 25, 2020

Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) is taking a proactive approach to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and the Yukon.  We must act now to save lives.

What is CAFN doing?

New Supports

Our Council recognizes the need to act quickly to help Citizens.  Many of you are facing new and unexpected circumstances and costs, and CAFN wants to help.  The following new supports are a first response to help you prepare to stay at home.  Please be patient as we are working hard to respond to many new requests as quickly as possible.  Council will continue to address new challenges as they arise and notify Citizens of new measures.

NEW: COVID-19 Citizen Assistance Fund This is a new fund to support all CAFN Citizens with unexpected new costs due to COVID19. Who is eligible? All CAFN Citizens age 18 and olderSingle Citizens will receive one-time assistance for $250 Canadian.CAFN households with families will receive one-time assistance of $500 Canadian. UPDATE:  CAFN Citizens DO NOT need to apply to receive this support. CAFN will automatically prepare cheques for families and individuals in keeping with our Citizen Enrollment list.  It will take some time to generate payments, so please have patience while we implement this as quickly as possible.  Staff will contact Citizens with any questions.  If you have moved or are unsure if we have your current contact information, please forward your current mailing address and other contact information to [email protected] or [email protected].

Elders Benefits will be doubled for the month of April.  There is no need to apply, this will happen automatically. Questions? Please contact:  Trish George at (867) 336-1598 or [email protected].

Income Assistance for basic needs will be doubled for the month of April.  There is no need to apply.  If you are currently a client receiving income assistance from CAFN, this will happen automatically.  Any new applications will be assessed based on income. Questions? Please contact: Annette Eikland at (867) 634-5361 or [email protected] Robert Van Lieshout at (867) 634-5191 or [email protected]

Mental Wellness Support                    Nataschaa Chatterton, Trauma Counsellor Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Support during COVID-19 ·  Telehealth, SKYPE, or walks (social distancing, in Haines Junction) ·  Addressing: anxiety, grief, fear, depression, worry, uncertainty, anger ·  Adults and youth ·  867-335-4460  ·  [email protected] ·  No fee

CAFN continues to provide Essential Services including: Municipal and Property Services, Communications, Finance, Income Assistance, Community Wellness including Elders support and Community Care, and Chief and Council business.

• All CAFN offices and public facilities remain closed to the public. 
• All CAFN gatherings are cancelled or postponed until further notice.

What should CAFN Citizens do?

Strictly follow all health directives by the governments of Yukon and Canada.

PREVENTION is the only medical treatment for COVID-19 at this time. With three cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the Yukon today, the Chief Medical Officer reminded:

1. It is critical to self-isolate for 14 days if you or an immediate household member have traveled outside the Yukon or Canada.If you cannot safely self-isolate at home, email [email protected];
2. Be vigilant about self-monitoring for symptoms;
3. Social spacing of at least 2 metres with other people is essential.

Continue to:

• Restrict travel – stay home except for essential travel and reduce travel in and out of rural communities.  Family support for those in need, including those in self isolation, is considered an essential service to the families. The travel restriction is also a way to get people thinking about new ways of doing things without traveling, like virtual meetings, Facetime, etc.
• Exercise additional caution in public spaces likely to be visited by travelers returning home through the Yukon.
• Report COVID-19 symptoms: If you or your immediate family have symptoms of fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, phone 811 and stay home.  Use the COVID-19 online assessment tool at Yukon.ca to help.
• Wash hands frequently and dry with a clean, dry towel or paper towel.
• Disinfect frequently-touched home surfaces like counters, door knobs, light switches, water taps, etc.
• Prepare a space to isolate in case you or a family member becomes ill.
• Talk with your family.  Ensure your children, Elders and other family members understand and are practicing safety measures.
• Support vulnerable and at-risk family members by delivering groceries and supplies to the doorsteps of high risk family and friends so they don’t need to go out.
• Be kind: Have patience and compassion for yourself and others.  This is a difficult time and how you behave sets an example for others.  This is dän k’e – our way.
• Be creative! Find new ways to be productive with your new time at home.

What is the Government of Yukon doing?

New measures:

• Yukon hospitals are suspending all non-urgent or routine services from Thursday, March 26 forward. This includes bloodwork and lab tests, x-rays, CT scans and other imaging services, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and specialist appointments.
• Yukoners should not go to a hospital for a non-urgent service, treatment or exam at this time.
• Yukon hospitals continue to provide urgent emergency care, but are closed to visitors.
• New virtual care options are available.  See https://yukon.ca/en/news/new-virtual-care-options-yukoners.
• The Government of Yukon is extending the Health Care Insurance Plan to cover Yukon residents who are not able to return to the territory because of the pandemic.
• A new respiratory health assessment centre at the Yukon Convention Centre is now open to patients by referral and at designated times.

Continuing measures:

• No travel in or out of the Yukon Territory (returning travelers must self-isolate 14 days).
• No non-essential travel in or out of rural Yukon communities.
• All restaurant dining rooms will be closed effective March 26.  Take-out and delivery services only going forward.
• All bars and personal services are closed.
• All social gatherings of 10 or more people are banned. 
• Self-isolation rooms are available where required at the High Country Inn.
• An online COVID-19 assessment tool is available at https://service.yukon.ca/en/covid-19-self-assessment/.
• 811 health emergency phone service continues to be available with new options.
• Classes at Yukon public schools are suspended until April 15, 2020.
• Public recreation centres (including the Canada Games Centre) and libraries are closed.

For more information for Yukoners on COVID-19 go to Yukon.ca

What is the Government of Canada doing?  Canada.ca

Canada is using the Quarantine Act to slow the spread of COVID-19.  An order went into effect today, March 25, stating that travellers returning to Canada are now legally required to go into self-isolation for 14 days.

Today a new Canadian Emergency Response Benefit was announced.  It is a combination of the Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit. This will allow applicants to receive $2,000 per month for 4 months. For more information: www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-income-supports-covid19-1.5509247

Service Canada is now offering only Critical Services. These are: Applying for Employment Insurance; Applying for Canada Pension Plan/Old Age Security; and Applying for Social Insurance Number.  These services can be accessed online at Canada.ca/service-canada-home.

Questions?  Please contact us.

You can continue to reach us at our main office at (867) 634-4200 Monday to Fridayduring business hours. You can also reach staff by email and as noted under the New Supports above.

Please watch for new info daily:  COVID-19 bulletin (M-F) ·  CAFN.ca  ·  Champagne and Aishihik First Nations on FB  ·  email  ·  door-to-door deliveries in CAFN communities ·  Posted at community halls