First Nations checkpoints set up to limit spread of virus
Only essential services, medical workers allowed to enter northern communities
Several First Nations leaders are taking steps including setting up checkpoints on roads to limit travel in and out of their communities as part of an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Larger bands are leaving the details of how road monitoring and checkpoints will be put into practice to individual communities.
Lac La Ronge Indian Band’s emergency control group said in a letter to band members posted to its website that each community would implement its own locally developed process.
Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation road restrictions are in effect for Southend/reindeer Lake, Pelican Narrows, Deschambeault Lake, Sandy Bay and Denare Beach. Those restrictions will limit residents of individual communities within PBCN from accessing other communities.
Only outside essential services personnel and medical service workers will be allowed in.
“Hopefully, it will slow down the spread of COVID -19 into our communities, because of the danger (presented by) a lot of overcrowding on our reserve. If it ever gets into a house where there’s 15-20 people, then it could be a disaster,” Chief Peter Beatty said in a phone interview on Thursday.
Beatty said he’ll refrain from visiting various communities until it’s safe to do so.
In his home community of Deschambeault Lake, he said, the streets were empty.
“Everybody is staying at home and they’re not going anywhere unless it’s absolutely essential.”
Cumberland House Cree Nation and the Northern Village of Cumberland House jointly announced on March 23 that a state of emergency had been declared and a monitoring station would be set up.
The notice, posted by Cumberland House Cree Nation Chief Rene Chaboyer on Facebook, set limits on entry and exit: only permanent residents will be allowed in, unless otherwise authorized by the pandemic planning committee.
Meanwhile, the RCMP reported local detachments have been notified by elected leaders of Indigenous communities that checkpoints have been established on several access roads.
Individual communities established hours for the checkpoints, the statement said.
RCMP are not involved in the operation of the checkpoints and will only attend if required, the statement noted, adding that detachments are in regular communication with the communities’ leaders and front line workers at the checkpoints.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron on March 21 called on the Saskatchewan government to follow the individual First Nations’ lead and close the province’s borders.
Earlier this week, Premier Scott Moe acknowledged Cameron’s request and said such a move would be challenging for police.