GINOOGAMING FIRST NATION, Ont. – Ginoogaming First Nation is taking new precautions to guard against the spread of COVID-19, with manned checkpoints screening anyone entering the community and the implementation of a curfew.
The First Nation borders the town of Longlac, about 300 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay on Highway 11. Peter Rasevych, Major Projects Director for the band, said there’s normally regular traffic between the two communities. The new measures look to limit that to essential trips.
Two checkpoints will be established and staffed 24 hours a day. Anyone entering the community will be screened with a questionnaire about symptoms and recent contacts.
Rasevych said the checkpoints will provide employment for workers laid off during the pandemic. He expects the band will recover the expense through a federal emergency fund established to support First Nations in responding to COVID-19.
In a release Tuesday, the band asked members to stay indoors whenever possible and leave the community only for essential trips. Families are asked to send only one member on trips outside the community.
Deliveries of essential services, such as heating, electrical, and propane, will be permitted into the community, while they will also continue to allow chip haul trucks to transit through their territory.
Tuesday’s announcement also included a curfew, running from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Residents will be required to stay in their homes during those hours, with exceptions only for urgent medical care.
Rasevych said community members are generally understanding of the restrictions, adding they create an opportunity to educate others about the seriousness of the situation.
“It’s like consciousness-raising,” he said. “It allows us to talk about social distancing and hygiene.”
