Message from Chief and Notice to Community

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March 13, 2020

Message from Chief

K’we Ugpi’ganjig,

I’d like to reassure our community members that Chief and Council, in collaboration with staff, have met to plan and prepare for COVID 19.
At this time the risk identified is still low, we will continue to monitor the situation and adjust accordingly. Plans are in place to ensure the continued operation of the following essential services; finance, social, health, and water monitoring, should a shut-down be required.
These are preventative measures, and are meant to provide the safest and best possible outcome.

We’re fortunate at this time, as we have NOT had any confirmed cases of COVID 19 in the region or our community, by being proactive and precautious our resilience will guide us past this time of concern.

Wela’lioq, Thank you

Chief Sacha LaBillois.

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March 13, 2020

Eel River Bar, New Brunswick.

 

Notice to Community Members:

 

The Eel River Bar First Nation would like to ensure staff and community members have accurate and factual information regarding the COVID-19 virus that has been making its way worldwide.  Please find attached a factsheet about the virus.  As of March 12, 2020, the risk continues to remain low.  The community of Eel River Bar would like to inform members that we are taking precautionary measures to reduce and minimize the risk of possible transmission of COVID-19.

To achieve this, we need cooperation from all staff and community members by implementing the following measures:

  1. Wash hands frequently for a minimum of 20 seconds.
  2. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
  3. Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in the home, and at the workplace
  4. Cough into the bow of your elbow
  5. Refrain from handshakes.
  6. If traveling internationally, please consult the Government of Canada’s travel health notices before travel. Link: http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories

Below is a link to the federal government website that is updated frequently with accurate, up to date information:

http://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html?utm_campaign=not-applicable&utm_medium=vanity-url&utm_source=canada-ca_coronavirus

 

As an organization, we have decided to implement the following precautionary and preventive measures:

 

  • Handwashing Policy – all staff, visitors and community members to any band building (band office, health center, child and family, daycare, etc.) must properly wash their hands (20 seconds) immediately upon entering the location. Frequent handwashing throughout the day as well.  Directors, please ensure this is visibly noted at your respective locations. In addition, please make sure that proper handwashing instructions are posted in all your facilities’ washrooms.
  • Work Travel Policy – Effective immediately, all non-essential work travel is suspended. To determine if travel is essential, please consult with Directors or Director of Operations.
  • External Interactions – where possible please limit interactions with outside parties (meetings, etc.) Please utilize technology such as phone, email, or videoconferencing.
  • Community Engagements – effective immediately, all non-essential community engagements are suspended. This includes but is not limited to community meetings, program-specific programs, non-essential health programs.
  • Band Facilities – Band and community members are asked to limit the attendance at band facilities and only attend for necessary purposes. Where possible, band and community members are asked to call and discuss matters instead of attending to the location whenever possible.
  • Leisure travel – Anyone who is engaged in leisure/personal travel may be required to be exempt from work for 14 days after they return from any international travel (depending on the location). They may use available sick, vacation or banked time for this.  Where this is not available, the leave will be unpaid, where they are unable to work from home during this self-isolation period.
  • Symptoms – If staff are exhibiting symptoms, they are asked to not come to work until symptoms pass and/or they test negative for the virus. Working from home is possible during this time, where able.  Any staff that requires self-isolation will be paid for any absence from work.
  • If a staff member contracts the virus, all band locations will immediately close for a minimum period of 14 days. Essential services will remain available, as deemed by the Director of Operations.
  • If a child contracts the virus, immediately close all daycare and playschools for a period of time

to be determined by administration and leadership.

 

In the event that you experience these specific symptoms (fever, cough, and difficulty breathing) we encourage that you contact Health Line (811) and or a health professional from the health center.

 

Please know that this is a quickly changing situation.  We will do the best we can to ensure our staff and community members are made aware of all changes and accurate information.  These protocols are subject to change at a moment’s notice, but we will ensure this information gets out to staff and community members.  For any additional questions, please feel free to contact us at 506-684-5002 or call dial 811 Health Line for more information.

 

Thank you, Wela’lioq

 

Official Posting found below.