THE BEARDY’S & OKEMASIS’ CREE NATION IS NOT ON LOCKDOWN.
We have implemented additional safety and security measures to protect the health and well-being of our membership from COVID-19; the following policies and procedures have been approved by the Council of the Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation (BOCN) for immediate implementation:
1. ABSOLUTELY NO NON-MEMBERS OF THE BOCN WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE BORDERS OF THE BOCN BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10:00PM AND 7:00AM.
2. A CURFEW FOR ON-RESERVE MEMBERS IS EFFECTIVE DURING THE HOURS OF 10:00PM AND 7:00AM. MEMBERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DEPART OR ENTER FOR NON-EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
- EXEMPTION: SHIFT WORKERS WHO DEPART TO OR RETURN FROM WORK DURING THOSE CURFEW TIMES ARE EXEMPT;
- EXEMPTION: MEMBERS OR NON-MEMBERS RESIDING OR WORKING ON THE BOCN WHO ARE ‘ON CALL’ ARE ALSO EXEMPT.
- EXEMPTION: RM OF DUCK LAKE RESIDENTS (CARLTON/WINGARD/TITANIC) USING HWY 212 TO ACCESS THE TOWN OF DUCK LAKE ARE ALSO EXEMPT.
3. FAMILY GATHERINGS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
- EXEMPTION: FUNERALS (CONTACT THE BAND OFFICE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING FUNERALS).
4. MEMBERS’ NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL (SHOPPING, RECREATIONAL TRIPS, ETC) SHOULD BE LIMITED TO TWO (2) TRIPS PER WEEK. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT FAMILIES/HOUSEHOLDS WORK TO PLAN AND MANAGE TIME AND TRIPS. MORE TRIPS = GREATER RISK OF EXPOSURE. WE DO MONITOR THE FREQUENCY OF YOUR TRIPS, AND OUR STAFF WILL REMIND FAMILIES/HOUSEHOLDS OF THIS GUIDELINE. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT SOME FAMILIES DO NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION OR THERE ARE OTHER EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECTING AN INDIVIDUALS ABILITY TO ADHERE TO THE SUGGESTED 2 TRIPS PER WEEK GUIDELINE, PLEASE DO YOUR BEST TO RESPECT THIS GUIDELINE, AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO ACCOMMODATE YOU.
5. FOR ESSENTIAL TRAVEL:
- ESSENTIAL TRIPS OUT OF THE COMMUNITY FOR FOOD AND GOODS: FAMILIES/HOUSEHOLDS SHOULD ATTEMPT TO LIMIT THOSE TRIPS TO TWO (2) TRIPS PER WEEK AND TWO (2) PEOPLE PER TRIP. EXEMPTION: WHEN CHILDCARE IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE TRIP. SOME RETAIL OUTLETS, AND EVEN SOME RESTAURANTS ARE LIMITING OCCUPANTS. BEAR THIS IN MIND WHEN YOU DEPART FOR YOUR ESSENTIAL TRIP.
- BUS PASSES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO FAMILIES WHERE CHILDREN ATTEND SCHOOL OFF-RESERVE IN ORDER TO RELIEVE SOME CONGESTION AT THE GATES DURING PEAK TIMES. THOSE PASSES SHOULD ONLY BE DISPLAYED/USED DURING RELEVANT TIMES (9AM & 3PM).
- MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, SCHOOL, AND WORK ARE DEEMED ESSENTIAL TRAVEL AND DO NOT COUNT TOWARD YOUR # OF ‘ESSENTIAL’ TRIPS.
- HUNTER/GATHERERS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE BOCN ARE PERMITTED TO ENTER/LEAVE THE BORDERS OF THE BOCN TO HUNT/GATHER. ALL ATTEMPTS SHOULD BE MADE TO LEAVE/RETURN WITHIN THE NON-CURFEW HOURS (7AM/10PM).
6. CO-PARENTING SITUATIONS: ALL CO-PARENTING SITUATIONS REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCE ARE PERMITTED. FOR EXAMPLE: CHILDREN VISITING A PARENT AT MOM OR DAD’S HOUSE ON OR OFF RESERVE. PLEASE SPEAK WITH THE ATTENDING SECURITY OFFICER TO EXPLAIN YOUR SITUATION AND REFERENCE THIS GUIDELINE.
7. PERSONAL INFORMATION: SOME PERSONAL INFORMATION WILL BE COLLECTED AT THE CHECKPOINTS AND ALL MEMBERS ENTERING THE BOCN MUST SUBMIT TO COVID-19 SCREENING. PLEASE RESPECT THE PROCEDURES IN PLACE BY SECURITY STAFF TO MONITOR TRAFFIC FLOW. IN ADDITION, COMMUNITY MEMBERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT DASHCAMS ARE IN PLACE TO PROTECT STAFF IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR UNSAFE INCIDENT.
8. CAREGIVING SERVICES BEING PROVIDED BY OFF-RESERVE MEMBERS TO ON-RESERVE MEMBERS AND VICE-VERSA ARE PERMITTED.
9. INTOXICATED MEMBERS WHO ARE DRIVING WILL NOT BE PERMITTED ENTRANCE TO THE BOCN AND THE RCMP WILL BE CONTACTED. SOBER MEMBERS PROVIDING DESIGNATED DRIVER SERVICES TO INTOXICATED MEMBERS ARE EXEMPT.
10. UTILITY COMPANIES WILL BE ALLOWED ACCESS TO THE FIRST NATION TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SERVICES.
11. BE RESPECTFUL TO SECURITY STAFF – THEY ARE OUR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND THEY ARE PERFORMING AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION FOR YOUR SAFETY.
12. FOOD SALES WHETHER FROM YOUR HOME, OR DELIVERING TO A MEMBER ON OR OFF THE BOCN ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
MASKS AND HAND SANITIZING ARE MANDATORY AT ALL PUBLIC LOCATIONS.
While this list is not exhaustive, we feel that these efforts will work to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community. It is up to all of us to do our part to respect and adhere to the guidelines listed above and work collectively for the health and well-being of our community.
AUTHORIZED BY:
– COUNCIL OF THE BEARDY’S & OKEMASIS’ CREE NATION, NOVEMBER 27, 2020
