Phase 1: COVID-19 Directives for Eeyou Istchee

On Monday, June 8, 2020, Eeyou Istchee started to lift some public health measures imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our region. The current situation will be reassessed every two weeks, to see whether we can move to the next phase, whether we should wait for two more weeks, or tighten current measures.

Which restrictions will be lifted in Phase 1?

We will begin to lift measures for activities that pose the lowest risk.

• Outdoor activities: Parks, playgrounds, camps, and all other activities practiced on the land will resume, with limits on the size of social gatherings.

• Small-scale outdoor private gatherings: The number of households participating in outdoor events/gatherings is limited to two.

• Some non-essential healthcare (and other public) services: Medical specialist services, dentistry, or other services, depending on local CMC capacity, will resume. This could include reopening other public services, based on local priorities.

We would like to remind everyone that at this point, travel between communities in Eeyou Istchee is considered safe.

Date: June 10th, 2020 

Subject to a COVID-19 Management Plan similar or superior to the Model Construction COVID-19 Management Plan a company may proceed subject to the following specific conditions to manage the risk associated with the activity in Cree communities: 

A. Monitor workers, volunteer, and clients state of health

• Before being allowed in, workers, volunteers and clients need to answer the following questions:
  • Have you been out in a region considered at high risk in the last 2 weeks? 
  • Are you in contact with someone who has COVID-19? 
  • Any worker answering yes to any of these questions must return home and Self-isolate  

• Also, advise workers and volunteers not to come to work or participate in the organization’s activities if they have symptoms suggestive of the disease  
  • To do so, question workers, volunteers and clients before they enter the premises to verify whether symptoms are present, by asking the following:  
    • Do you have any of these symptoms: cough, fever, difficulty breathing, sudden loss of sense of taste or smell? 
    • Note: Temperature taking is not recommended because the results are unreliable, especially for people who work outdoors. 

• If any workers answer yes to any of these questions, they must Call the local CMC (see https://www.creehealth.org/about-us/contacts)
• If there is a case of COVID-19 in the work place, the public health authorities will have to conduct an investigation to determine the level of contact with other people. Depending on the assessment, other workers might also have to be tested and self-isolate for 14 days.  

B. Ensure proper physical Distancing 

• Keep a minimum distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from and between persons;
  • Keep groups small, ideally below 10 clients maximum, or less considering the space needed for physical distancing.
  • An intervention that takes place 2 metres from others does not require additional measures.
  • A brief intervention (under 15 minutes) that takes place less than 2 metres from another person does not require additional measures.  

• In situations where a long intervention with a client may be necessary (more than 15 minutes) or for a brief intervention with a high risk of aggression (e.g., spitting, biting, physical contact), which must take place within 2 metres of the person:  
  • Wear a procedural mask (or a scarf if no mask is available), protective eyewear and gloves.  
  • After intervening with the client, safely remove the gloves, the protective eyewear and the procedural mask and place them in a trash can (if available on-site) or in designated resealable bags or containers, then dispose of them. 

C. Promote hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette among employees, volunteers and clients poster hand washing, poster respiratory etiquette   

• Providing workers with all necessary supplies (running water, soap, hydroalcoholic solutions, touchless trash cans, disposable tissues, napkins or paper towels, etc.). 
• Ensure that hands are washed or that a hydroalcoholic solution is used by everyone, upon entering the organization:
• Provide an accessible place to wash hands with soap and water and/or make available a hydroalcoholic solution. 
• Encourage everyone to cough into a bent elbow, or into a tissue that is discarded immediately after use, then washing hands as soon as possible.

D. Ensure adequate disinfection:  

• Frequency of disinfection of toilets at least twice per shift, i.e.: once in the middle of the shift and once at the end of the shift. 
• Frequency of lunch room cleaning: should be done before breaks and before lunchtime and at the end of the shift.  
• Frequently-touched surfaces (refrigerators, microwaves, tables, counters, door handles, telephones, computer accessories, pencils, etc.) with the usual cleaning and disinfecting products on each shift, or whenever a new user takes over the workspace.  

Further guidance in the development of your Construction COVID-19 Management Plan is available through:

 “COVID-19 Preventive Measures in the Workplace Construction Sites Guidelines” 

and may be submitted for validation to: covidrisk@cngov.ca 

If you require further assistance or need greater detail please send you inquiry or request to: covidrisk@cngov.ca or call: 1-866-855-2811 

Date: June 9^th, 2020

A First Nation of Eeyou Istchee submitted a request on the advisability of resuming AA meetings in their community.

These activities are part of supportive interventions for individuals struggling with dependency difficulties; as such, they are included under the “non-essential health care services” allowed to restart in Phase 1 of the deconfinement plan.

AA meetings involving gatherings of individuals in a community setting, the following specific conditions are provided to manage the risk associated with the activity in Cree communities:

A. Monitor workers, volunteer, and clients state of health

• Before being allowed in, workers, volunteers and clients need to answer the following questions:
  • Have you been out in a region considered at high risk in the last 2 weeks?
  • Are you in contact with someone who has COVID-19?
  • Any worker answering yes to any of these questions must return home and Self-isolate
• Also, advise workers and volunteers not to come to work or participate in the organization’s activities if they have symptoms suggestive of the disease
  • To do so, question workers, volunteers and clients before they enter the premises to verify whether symptoms are present, by asking the following:
    • Do you have any of these symptoms: cough, fever, difficulty breathing, sudden loss of sense of taste or smell?
    • Note: Temperature taking is not recommended because the results are unreliable, especially for people who work outdoors.
  • If any workers answer yes to any of these questions, they must Call the local CMC (see https://www.creehealth.org/about-us/contacts)
  • If there is a case of COVID-19 in the work place, the public health authorities will have to conduct an investigation to determine the level of contact with other people. Depending on the assessment, other workers might also have to be tested and self-isolate for 14 days.

B. Ensure proper physical Distancing

• Keep a minimum distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from and between persons;
  • Keep groups small, below 10 clients maximum, or less considering the space needed for physical distancing
  • An intervention that takes place 2 metres from others does not require additional measures.
  • A brief intervention (under 15 minutes) that takes place less than 2 metres from another person does not require additional measures.
• In situations where a long intervention with a client may be necessary (more than 15 minutes) or for a brief intervention with a high risk of aggression (e.g., spitting, biting, physical contact), which must take place within 2 metres of the person:
  • Wear a procedural mask (or a scarf if no mask is available), protective eyewear and gloves.
  • After intervening with the client, safely remove the gloves, the protective eyewear and the procedural mask and place them in a trash can (if available on-site) or in designated resealable bags or containers, then dispose of them.

• Promote hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette among employees, volunteers and clients
• Providing workers with all necessary supplies (running water, soap, hydroalcoholic solutions, touchless trash cans, disposable tissues, napkins or paper towels, etc.).
• Ensure that hands are washed or that a hydroalcoholic solution is used by everyone, upon entering the organization:
• Provide an accessible place to wash hands with soap and water and/or make available a hydroalcoholic solution.
• Encourage everyone to cough into a bent elbow, or into a tissue that is discarded immediately after use, then wash hands as soon as possible.

C. Ensure adequate disinfection:

• Frequency of disinfection of toilets at least twice per shift, i.e.: once in the middle of the shift and once at the end of the shift.
• Frequency of lunch room cleaning: should be done before breaks and before lunchtime and at the end of the shift.
• Frequently-touched surfaces (refrigerators, microwaves, tables, counters, door handles, telephones, computer accessories, pencils, etc.) with the usual cleaning and disinfecting products on each shift, or whenever a new user takes over the workspace.

If you require further assistance or need greater detail please send you inquiry or request to: covidrisk@cngov.ca or call: 1-866-855-2811

Useful resources

COVID-19: Interim Recommendations for Community Organizations

Daily Checklist

Download the Quick reference (PDF | 945 Kb)

Sanitary Environment

Download the Quick reference (PDF | 950 Kb)

Date: June 5th, 2020 

A Local Radio Station submitted a request on the advisability of resuming community bingo games. These games involve the calling of bingo numbers over the local radio station with individuals playing in their households.   

With the understanding that the activity does not involve any gatherings, the following specific conditions are provided to manage the risk associated with the activity in Cree communities: 

• The mode of purchasing of cards must prevent the accumulation of customers, therefore, delivery, kiosk or one-way traffic through facility (customers entering one door, with proper spacing and exit from another door) must be implemented. 
• Paper money can be used but staff must wear gloves and wash hands after handling at a station designated for handling the funds, which is wiped with disinfectant after each transaction. 
• Claiming of prizes or other verifications must follow the same modes of procedure as purchasing cards.  

Date: June 12, 2020

I. Office Guidelines – “Adapted Administrative Operations”

A balance must be achieved between the maintenance of essential services for the Cree Nation and the maintenance of social distancing and precautionary measures.

The Government of Quebec has issued a decree on the “Essential Services” which has been adapted to reflect the realities of Eeyou Istchee, a copy of which is attached hereto. The Government functions of Regional and Local Governments are very important components of Essential services. The service industry, food, fuel, distribution of goods are also very important at this time.

All workers or services that can be provided remotely are encouraged to continue doing so.

1. Directions to staff

All staff should be instructed to practice basic hygienic and physical distancing measures:

• Remaining 2 metres or 6 feet from individuals not living under the same roof
• Washing hands frequently, particularly before and after eating, going to the bathroom, touching individuals, etc.
• Coughing or sneezing into our sleeve or in a tissue, (discarded in a closed garbage can)

2. Screening staff

Unless an employee meets one of the following conditions there is nothing to prevent them from coming to work:

1. Has symptoms of a fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, sudden loss of taste or smell; (they should consult the clinic)
2. Has travelled outside Eeyou Istchee or to an Area of Risk within the last 14 days; (they should stay home and call the clinic if they have symptoms)
3. Has been in contact with someone confirmed of having COVID-19; (they should stay home and call the clinic)
4. Awaiting test results to determine if they have COVID-19. (they should stay home and follow instructions)

3. Hygiene and environmental management

Hygiene is one of the simplest and most efficient measures for controlling the propagation of COVID-19. The following are practices beyond the normal measures taken in the management of administrative offices.

a. increase in cleaning services

Having cleaning services doubled daily would increase the ability to control COVID-19. Having cleaning crews come in at noon to wipe and disinfect surfaces, especially high-traffic common areas, instead of only doing it at the end of the day would increase the cleanliness and assist in reminding people of the importance of cleanliness today. Cleaning staff need to ensure use of proper equipment such as gloves, but masks are not necessary.

b. Washing and sanitization stations

Washing hands remains the simplest and most effective measure for preventing the spread of COVID-19. It is therefore imperative that soap, water and disposable towels be made available in restrooms. Administrations should provide additional washing stations if possible. It is also better to dry hands with disposable towels rather than air dryers. Alcohol-based hand sanitization stations are also useful in the same manner.

c. Water Fountains

Water fountains in office and facilities should be disabled as a potential source of germs. This measure does not apply to stations for filling water bottles.

4. Physical Distancing

a. Staggering Office hours/shifts

Staggering times when staff come to the office will alleviate traffic and the concentration of personnel. Employers should consider staggering times of the day or days of the week when staff would be expected to come into work. Work stations and desks should be arranged to allow 2 metres between all workers who are not living under the same roof.

b. Management of Services and Meetings

1. Limiting Access to Office: Notices should be placed on public entrances: “Meetings and Services are Delivered by Appointment Only”
2. Directive on Management of Services: Staff should be directed to the greatest extent possible to manage appointments, meetings and consultations through telephone or videoconference communications.

5. Children in the workplace
The preference is to avoid having children in the workplace considering the challenge that they add to the need to keep workplaces particularly hygienic during these critical times. The following measures should be considered:

1. Child Care Centres and Schools are required to maintain services for the children of employees that fall under Essential Services (please see “Essential Services – Bulletin”);
2. When possible, employers should allow employees to work from home if they are unable to secure childcare services, family or friends that can watch over the children;

II. LOCAL BUSINESSES

It is imperative that measures be put in place to support as many local businesses as possible such as gas stations, grocery stores, convenience stores or restaurants.  There are many outside frontline essential workers in our communities that rely on these services and cannot function without them.

1. Management of Capacity

Business establishments need to be careful to limit the number of customers that enter facilities to prevent the inadvertent accumulation of crowds or groups. If necessary, measures should be instituted to ensure that less than one half (½) of the normal capacity of a space is not exceeded. It is imperative to ensure that this space is available to assist community members to practice physical distancing (2 metres).

2. Management of Client Distances

Using Tape or Markings on the floor to assist clients to keep a safe distance (2 metres) from one another when in line at the cashier’s counter is a very useful measure.

3. Hours of Operations

All businesses will have to close on Sundays with the exception of gas stations, convenience stores, pharmacies and take-out orders from restaurants. This measure is to ensure that staff are rested during these very difficult times and to give facilities the opportunity to perform the required deep cleanings.

4. Authorization to Limit Purchases when Required

There is no reason to be concerned on the supply of goods to the stores in Eeyou Istchee. That being said, there are businesses in the South which are experiencing “panic shopping” and the irrational depletion of resources. It is important that this not be allowed to go unchecked in stores in Eeyou Istchee. Store managers must be ready to exercise their authority to limit the number of purchases of an item per customer should the need arise. For example, one package of toilet paper per customer.

5. Restaurants
   1. Restaurants have been closed in larger cities in Quebec, however, there are often many more options in larger cities for people who depend on outside sources for meals. It is not justified at this time, nor is it considered advisable to completely close restaurant services in Eeyou Istchee, but rather to favor the provision of delivery or pick-up services until further notice as per the Deconfinement Plan.

6. Homemade Take-Out Plates

The public should be made aware that although the “Homemade Take-Out Plates” are important components of the local economy, they represent a significant risk to the propagation of the COVID-19 as the preparation of the food is not regulated and contamination by the virus would have very serious consequences.

III. Community Points of Entry

1. Airports

It should be assumed that considering the warnings that are being issued by all governments that the travelling that is happening through our airports is not for tourism or casual purposes but is necessary. As operators responsible for the continuing functioning of the airports there are measures that can be taken:

1. Increasing cleaning services to be carried out before and after flights and charters versus only once per day;
2. The maintenance and stocking of proper handwashing facilities;
3. The distribution of “Community Entrance Advisory” for those coming into the community and “Travel Advisories” for those leaving the community.

2. Access Roads

Caution must be exercised in managing any controls, restrictions or other administrative action on the access roads that lead to the communities of Eeyou Istchee. Any disruption or interference with traffic unless it is absolutely warranted could have a very negative effect on the ability to maintain calm in the community or the maintenance and delivery of critical goods and services to the community.

Local Check Points

It is not deemed necessary to strictly control traffic but rather ensure that travellers are properly informed when traversing points of entries of our communities. Travellers leaving the communities should receive the “Travel Advisory” and other messages developed by local councils. Travellers arriving in the communities should receive the “Community Entrance Advisory” to ensure they understand what is expected from them to protect community members.  Consulting local restrictions before travelling is highly recommended.

*Current Community Entrance Advisory and Travel Advisory documents are available through your local Public Safety Office (PSO).

The following specific conditions are provided to manage the risk associated with the activity in Cree communities: 

• Identification of high-risk workers, parents or children  
• Before being allowed in the daycare center, workers need to answer the following questions: 
  • Have you been out in a region considered at high risk in the last 2 weeks? 
  • Are you in contact with someone who has  COVID-19? 
  • Any worker answering yes to any of these questions must return home and Self-isolate  

• Also, advise workers not to come to work if they have symptoms suggestive of the disease. To do so, question workers, volunteers and clients before they enter the premises to verify whether symptoms are present, by asking the following:  
  • Do you have any of these symptoms: cough, fever, difficulty breathing, sudden loss of sense of taste or smell? 
  • Note: Temperature taking is not recommended because the results are unreliable, especially for people who work outdoors. 
  • If any workers answer yes to any of these questions, they must Call the local CMC (see https://www.creehealth.org/about-us/contacts)  
  • If there is a case of COVID-19 in the work place, the public health authorities will have to conduct an investigation to determine the level of contact with other people. Depending on the assessment, other workers might also have to be tested and self-isolate for 14 days.  

• Strict triage of parents and children should also be done in the vestibule of the childcare facility;  
  • We recommend that the following parents not send their preschool-age children to daycare until further notice:  
    • Pregnant women,  
    • Parents who are 70 years old or older,  
    • Parents with a chronic disease or an immunodeficiency, as well as parents whose children suffer from these conditions 

• However, a childcare establishment cannot refuse to accept a child whose parent exhibits one of the risk factors mentioned above.  
  • The only factor that daycare management may use to refuse access, apart from its intake capacity, is if a parent and/or child have contracted COVID-19 or have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 (see below) 
• Access must be refused to any child who exhibits symptoms associated with the disease, or who is in contact at home exhibits COVID-19 symptoms, is under investigation (waiting for a COVID-19 test result) 
  • A child developing symptoms while at daycare must be isolated in a room provided for this purpose.  
  • Only one staff member should be looking after a child exhibiting symptoms parents come to get the child; 
  • This staff member must wear gloves and an overgarment, as well as a procedure mask and protective eyewear; •  
  • The parents of the children in the affected person’s group and the staff in contact with the symptomatic child must call the local CMC (see https://www.creehealth.org/about-us/contacts) 

• Ensure proper physical Distancing poster 
• Limit access to parents or other adults dropping off or picking up a child 
  • Whenever possible, take charge of the child at the main entrance door 
  • Parent should not enter the room of his or her child’s group) 
  • Suggest to parents that only one parent or adult be responsible for dropping off or picking up their child. 
  • Try to stagger the children’s arrival and departure times to prevent too many families from being present at the same time.   

Reorganization of rooms 

• The number of children per group, and the physical organization of rooms must take into account the need to comply with the physical distancing standard of 2 metres at all times. 

• If possible, always keep the same children in the same educator Stability of the staff in contact with the children is preferred;  
• The ratios per educator at facilities should be as follows: 
  • Maximum of three children under the age of 18 months 
  • Maximum of six children aged 18 months to less than 4 years old 
  • Maximum of eight children aged 4 years old or older 

• Provide a single room for each group and avoid changing or sharing rooms.  
  • Whenever possible, limit use of the multi-purpose room (if one exists) to a single group at a time.  
  • Arrange the premises to put as much distance as possible between people.  
  • Using visual markers in order to comply with the physical distancing standard of 2 metres is encouraged. 
  • create space between people (educator and children) sitting at a table; add more tables if needed 
  • Space out the use of hooks and lockers in the cloakroom, as well as “play” areas (e.g. kitchen corner, reading corner or resting corner).   

• All staff members in direct contact with children, whose tasks absolutely necessitate being less than 2 metres from another person for a period longer than 15 minutes without a physical barrier, must wear espiratory protection and protective eyewear; 
  • When a staff member must wash, feed, rock or hold very young children in their arms, they must:  
    • keep long hair tied,  
    • wash their hands, neck and any place touched by the child’s secretions,  
    • If there are secretions on the  child’s clothing, change the clothing, deposit the contaminated clothes in bags and close the bags,

Managing activities and outings  

• Maximize outdoor time, while limiting the number of people using the yard or any other outdoor space at the same time.   
  • Authorize use of the outdoor play module only if it can be disinfected on a regular basis.   
  • Avoid games involving contact between people, as much as possible.  

• Limit the number of toys and games in the common areas.  
  • Remove all toys that are difficult to clean (e.g. puzzles, play dough and card games).   
  • Both personnel and children should avoid bringing objects from home on a regular basis (e.g. educational material, cuddlies or stuffed animals). Comfort items should stay in the rooms and be cleaned by the childcare facility.   

• Space out the mats during rest time and make sure that the bedding is washed regularly (blankets and covers) in the childcare facility.  

• Organizing meal and snack times Whenever possible and for autonomous children, encourage a distance of two metres between the children and educator. Add tables as needed.  
  • Whenever possible, space out the use of highchairs (floor models or fastened to the wall) for infants (e.g. use every second chair).   
  • Do not share utensils, dishes, glasses, trays, etc.   
  • Avoid using water bottles.  
  • Avoid brushing the children’s teeth at the childcare facility.   

• Promote hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette among employees, volunteers and clients poster hand washing, poster respiratory etiquette   
• Provide a space, right at the entrance to the childcare facility, where everyone can wash their hands or apply an alcohol-based solution (make sure that it is outside the children’s reach 
  • Ensure that hands are washed or that a hydroalcoholic solution is used by everyone, upon entering the organization:   
  • Encourage everyone to cough into a bent elbow, or into a tissue that is discarded immediately after use, then washing hands as soon as possible 

• Ensure adequate disinfection:  

• Frequency of disinfection of toilets at least twice per shift, i.e.: once in the middle of the shift and once at the end of the shift.  
  • If possible, reserve one bathroom exclusively for personnel (not accessible to the children) 

• Frequency of lunch room cleaning: should be done before breaks and before lunchtime and at the end of the shift.  
  • Frequently-touched surfaces (refrigerators, microwaves, tables, counters, door handles, telephones, computer accessories, pencils, etc.) with the usual cleaning and disinfecting products on each shift, or whenever a new user takes over the workspace.  

• Once a child exhibiting symptoms has left, disinfect the room, 
  • the surfaces and the objects touched by the child; also disinfect the child’s personal area (where the child takes a nap or his/her storage area) and place the child’s personal objects (sheet, towel, pillow, comforter, stuffed toy, clothing worn, etc.) in a fabric or plastic bag to wash them and return them to the parents. 

In order to protect the health of workers, clients receiving the supplies (either private costumers or businesses), and the whole population of Eeyou Istchee, the following recommendations must be followed:

I-Monitoring risk and health status of workers 

• Delivery companies must make sure to identify and exclude workers who may be at high risk of COVID-19 before they are designated to deliver supplies to any location in Eeyou Istchee. To do so all their workers should answer the following within 48hours prior to departing for the territory. :
  • Have you been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 in the last 2 weeks, or someone who has recently become sick with symptoms that could be COVID-19?
  • Do you have any of the following symptoms, even if they are mild: cough, fever, difficulty breathing, fatigue, sore throat, diarrhea, sudden loss of sense of taste or smell?
  • Note: Temperature taking is not required
• Anyone answering yes to any of the above questions should not depart for Eeyou Istchee until they have ended their isolation period (if they were in contact with someone who has COVID), or until at least 48hrs after their symptoms have resolved.
• Workers coming from regions considered at risk for Eeyou Istchee will be allowed to come in the territory (given they are cleared from the above), but they are going to be asked to:
  • Wear a medical mask for the period that they are in the community
  • Go directly to their delivery site and exit the community immediately afterwards
• It is also important that companies contact the Band Councils of the communities they are planning to deliver goods to, to make sure their delivery staff comply with all the local rules and regulations in place.
  • Some community check points may require that for special permission be granted to allow non-residents to come in the community, for example
  • Others may also restrict which community areas can be visited, as well as the length of time allowed within the community.

II-Once in the community

• Apply strict physical distancing measures of at least 2 meters with clients and all others in community (either at home or business)
  • The worker should not go inside the house or business they are delivering to unless absolutely necessary
• Limit hand-to-hand exchanges of dollar bills, change, cheques, credit cards, telephones, or other physical objects.
  • If possible, encourage clients to use a contactless payment method or encourage the prepayment of orders to limit interactions
  • If it cannot be avoided, wash hands before and after the exchange
  • Wearing disposable gloves is not necessary, unless are already required for the type of work being done; remember to wash hands when gloves are removed
  • If possible, do not require a signature of receipt, if this cannot be avoided, make sure client use their own pen, and stay within 2 meters for less than 15 minutes
• General hygiene measures
  • Wash hands with soap and water or with a more than 60% hydro-alcoholic solution frequently and directly before and after any exchange of a physical object
  • Follow the respiratory etiquette (cough into your folded elbow, or into a tissue that is discarded immediately after use, then wash your hands as soon as possible).
  • Increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting the most frequently touched surfaces (e.g. handles, dashboard, steering wheel, transmission arms, tools, etc.) as often as possible and at all times at the end of the shift.