Area First Nations monitoring entrances to prevent COVID-19

“It’s for public safety and as a result of the COVID-19 scare globally,” he said. “Red Pheasant has decided to implement a barricade at all of our entrances into Red Pheasant so we can have some control over traffic coming in and out of our community.”

“We take it seriously, the threat that’s out there— the transmission of the COVID-19 virus,” Wuttunee said. “Just like many other First Nation communities, we are monitoring that flow of traffic. “

Security staff will have questionnaires at the barricades for people entering or exiting the reserve to complete.

“The questions will ask: Where they are coming from, where they have been, and if they are of any high-risk category, such as travellers coming from the United States,” Wuttunee said.

He added the barricades will also help to identify any known drug dealers to prevent them from attempting to enter into the community.

“They are high risk and we don’t want our people to be vulnerable to that,” Wuttunee said.

Those attending medical appointments will need to show some type of proof when passing through the barricades.

Essential services personnel including healthcare workers, RCMP, and essential supply deliveries are exempt from the order.

The band also wants people to practice self-isolation and not visit other homes in the community.

Those who return from extended leave must self-isolate for 14 days.

Members are required to self-monitor in case they have symptoms of the virus, such as a cough, fever and/or shortness of breath.

Wuttunee also reminds community members to recognize social distancing rules.

He said the reserve recognizes some band members need to leave the community intermittently to attend work in North Battleford so they will be exempt from the restrictions.

Little Pine, Poundmaker monitoring travel

Similar to Red Pheasant’s efforts, Little Pine First Nation and Poundmaker Cree Nation are on lock-down, restricting traffic onto their reserves to protect against COVID-19. Only band members and essential travel are permitted to enter or leave the reserves to protect against COVID-19. Security staff monitors the entrances to the communities.

Poundmaker security supervisor Barb Tootoosis said the initiative will help make the communities safer. She credits the reserves for taking a proactive approach.

“We’re starting to track the traffic,” she said, adding that visitors are not permitted on the reserve at this time. Only essential travel needs are allowed.

Tootoosis said security personnel are taking part in self-isolation for 14 days as well, as a precaution in an effort to “flatten the curve” to prevent COVID-19 in both Poundmaker and Little Pine communities.

With Little Pine First Nation security, Alvin Nighttraveller said Little Pine and Poundmaker are “working together, helping each other out” on this initiative.

“It’s good, it puts our elders at ease because our elders were worried about this virus going out,” he said. “They feel more safe that we have less traffic coming in,” he said. He added controlling the traffic entering and leaving the reserve will also help protect those with underlying health concerns.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown

Area First Nations monitoring entrances to prevent COVID-19

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