Due to the significant health concerns posed by COVID-19 and the importance of following direction from the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) on physical distancing as a way to keep students, staff and communities safe, Northwest Territories (NWT) schools will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

Please read HERE the NWT Education Bulletin from March 30, 2020.

Situation Report 2020-07-039 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (April 22, 2020)
Situation Report 2020-07-030 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (April 13, 2020)

The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs declared a State of Emergency for the Northwest Territories effective on March 24th. The Territorial EMO remains at Level 3 – Full Activation. All Regional Emergency Operation Centres are now activated. The Department of Health and Social Services’ (HSS) website reports there have been 910 tests performed, 181 tests pending and there has been 1 confirmed case of COVID-19 in the NWT. HSS is leading preparations and planning for public health measures and health impacts. HSS remains at Activation Level 4 -Activation of EOC. MACA Regional Superintendents maintain contact with communities to monitor for potential impacts, maintain situational awareness, and continue to support communities in preparedness activities. Top community concerns as of March 30, 2020 include:

• Access to communities of non-residents (contractors)
• Self-isolation of new arrivals into communities (Miners, essential service employees)
• Enforcement of self-isolation, social distancing and gatherings

Checkpoints remain at NWT border crossings on highways 1 & 8, as well as airport locations in Yellowknife, Ft. Smith, Hay River and lnuvik. Highway 7 border crossing near Fort Liard is closed. Isolation centres for those who are required to self-isolate are available in Yellowknife, lnuvik, Hay River and Fort Smith.
Isolation Centres as of 9:00 am, March 31, 2020:

• Yellowknife – 60 rooms available, 52 persons isolated in 42 rooms
• Hay River -55 rooms available, 40 persons isolated in 24 rooms
• lnuvik – 45 rooms available, 40 persons isolated in 28 rooms
• Ft. Smith – 9 rooms available, 1 person isolated

COVID-19 timeline

• On March 30, the Chief Public Health Officer authorized the removal of border security measures at Smith Landing effective immediately. The ice road access to Fort McMurray and Fort Chipewyan will remain permanently closed.
• March 28 – the CPHO provided additional clarification on the travel restriction order with regards to Smith’s Landing and Fort Fitzgerald.
• March 27 – A letter identifying Northwestel workers as essential was provided to Northwestel. Additional letters for other essential workers and agencies are in development.
• March 24 – the Minister of MACA declared a Territorial State of Emergency.
• March 24 – NWT Education Leaders agreed with the recommendation from the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and closed schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
• March 22 – the CPHO issued a public health advisory stating that all gatherings regardless of size or number should be cancelled immediately.
• March 21 – the CPHO prohibited all travel into the NWT by non-residents to prevent the spread of COVID-19. There are limited exceptions.
• March 18 – the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) declared a public health emergency.

Letter from the Superintendent March 16, 2020

Letter from the Dehcho Divisional Education Council Superintendent