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Updated Public Health Measures including an important change made to the definition of the term “protected.”

The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre Public Health Department and the Public Safety Commission wish to update the community on the current Public Health Measures as per Directive #65 under the Kahnawà:ke Emergency Preparedness Law.

Current Public Health Measures as per Directive # 65

These measures are for the general population.  Each essential service organization may have their respective case and contact management strategies that differ from the general population.

The KMHC Local Public Health Team is observing several outbreaks and increase in cases within the community.  The Local Public Health Teams is advising that community members take extra caution over the next three weeks as risk level has increased significantly, especially to those who are most vulnerable: elderly, immunocompromised individuals, those with uncontrolled chronic health conditions and our essential service organization employees. 

NEW CASE AND CONTACT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES:

The testing site in Kahnawake is only currently available to essential service workers and people who are being admitted for surgery and have been requested to provide a negative test result prior to admission. However, community members can access PCR testing at testing sites in surrounding communities (ex. Chateauguay, Kirkland, Lachine). 

UPDATED PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES

DEFINITIONS: 

The notion of High Risk, Moderate Risk and Low Contact Risk are NO LONGER used in determining isolation criteria for positive cases and contacts of positive cases.  Criteria is based on vaccination status and/or a history or not of having had COVID-19.  The following 3 criteria are now used:

  • Protected: A person is considered PROTECTED for 3 months following a prior COVID-19 infection from onset of symptoms or from the date of a positive test result in the case where there are no symptoms.
  • Partially Protected: Vaccinated or With History of COVID-19 prior to DECEMBER 20TH :  a person who has at least 1 vaccination dose or has had COVID-19 at any time since the beginning of the pandemic
  • Not Protected: Unvaccinated with no history of COVID-19: a person who has 0 doses and has never had COVID-19 since March 2020

CASE and CONTACT MANAGEMENT:

Masking:

Masking remains an effective way of preventing and/or limiting COVID-19 transmission.

• Masks are still mandatory in all indoor public settings (example: pharmacy or grocery store)

• Masking is recommended in outdoor, public and private settings (example: outdoor rink, small family gathering)

• Masking in office spaces of community organizations is highly recommended, especially when 2-meter distancing cannot be maintained or where there are no protective barriers (plexiglass, dividers).  Examples are: meeting/conference rooms in organizations such as MCK, KMHC or KSCS; group offices.  Masks remain mandatory in all common areas when moving from one area to another.

• Public Health recommends that individuals use their judgement, knowledge and education, and acceptable level of risk when deciding about masking in their personal indoor and outdoor home environment

Distancing:

  • 2-meter distancing is recommended in indoor and outdoor public settings
  • 2-meter distancing is recommended in common spaces of community organizations

•    2-meter distancing is recommended in outdoor public and private settings and especially if you are a vulnerable person whether   vaccinated or not

  • Public Health recommends that individuals use their judgement, knowledge, education and acceptable level of risk when deciding about distancing in their personal indoor and outdoor home environment

Ventilation:

  • Ventilation is important. Air out rooms every two hours by opening all windows in private areas or your home when gathering with people outside your household.
  • Use of HEPA filters is beneficial
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Kahnawà:ke Re-Opening

Preventative Measures: Exclusion of symptomatic workers from the workplace (daily health check), Physical distancing – two (2) meters (six (6) feet), masks indoors as per public health measures if distancing is not possible and when moving around, hand washing, maintenance of hygiene measures for tools, equipment and frequently touched surfaces, physical barriers where required, ventilation, rapid testing and special measures for establishments when required. All businesses are subject to an inspection. Proof of vaccination measures are currently being assessed.


Capacity: is based on maintaining recommended distances between tables and/or Clients, inspection
may be required.

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Task Force issues visitation guidelines for holidays

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force wishes to advise the community that due to the rising number of COVID-19 positive cases (currently at 93 active, 101 total in 5th wave) and the high number of persons in isolation (estimated to be in the hundreds) within the community, it has issued Guidelines for safe visitation for the remainder of this holiday season.

The current situation is deemed critical and the risk of transmission of the virus is significant. As a result, it is imperative that community members do everything they can to keep themselves, their families, and the community as healthy and safe as possible. Therefore, the following Guidelines have been put in place:

The first and safest recommendation is to:

• Stay within your own household and have no family visits

The second recommendation, which involves increased risk, is to:

• Have one other household visit per day, between now and January 8, 2021 – while respecting Masking, Distancing, and proper Hand Hygiene at all times

Private home visits should NOT include the following:

• Parties

• Gatherings of multiple households or multiple family members from different households. More than two other households in your home at the same time is not recommended

Private home visits should NOT take place if you or someone in your household:

• Is over 70 years of age, immuno-suppressed, or otherwise at risk

• Lives with someone who is at risk or takes care of someone who is at risk

• Has COVID-19, has COVID-19-related symptoms, has been around a positive case, tested positive with a rapid test, or are awaiting test results

Home visits and increased numbers of contacts in the home increases the risk of transmitting the virus. It is the personal responsibility of each and every person to ensure that, if we have people visiting our home, the visits are conducted safely. We must all do our part to protect our most vulnerable. Working as a community, we can manage and limit the spread of COVID-19.

For more information on COVID-19 Testing and Isolation requirements, a list of current measures in Kahnawà:ke or When you should take a rapid test, visit www.kahnawake911.com.

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Local Restaurants Mandatory Inspections for In-House & Terrace Dining

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force (Task Force) would like to remind local restaurant owners that all establishments must be inspected before reopening to the public for in-house and terrace dining on Friday, May 21, 2021.

Local restauranteurs are being advised to contact the Public Safety Division to book an inspection at 450-632-0635 or by email at covid19inspections@mck.ca.

The Task Force would also like to remind the general public that this first phase of reopening the restaurants for in-house and terrace dining is only for local residents and those working within the territory, and identification may be required.

Phase two will be announced in the near future.

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Important news regarding Private Home Visits between two Households

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force wishes to advise the community that, effective Friday, November 13, 2020, Private Home Visits are permitted between a maximum of two (2) households at a time. It is strongly recommended that these visits be limited to once per week. This measure has been adjusted to address the mental health concerns raised by the community.

Please note the following: Private Home Visits do NOT include the following:

  • Parties
  • Gatherings of multiple households or multiple family members from different households

Private Home Visits should NOT take place if:

  • You are at risk (over 70, immune-suppressed, etc.), you live with someone who is at risk, or you take care of someone who is at risk
  • If you have COVID-19, if you have COVID-19 related symptoms, have been around a positive case, are awaiting test results

“It is suggested that family members and friends continue to reach out by telephone and other forms of communication to those vulnerable community members,” said Derek Montour, KSCS Executive Director.

“The community needs to be aware that we are at our highest level of alert in this second wave and the risk of transmission of the virus is still significant,” said Lloyd Phillips, Commissioner of Public safety and Head of the Task Force. “We must be aware that home visits – and increasing the number of contacts in the home – increases the risk of transmitting the virus. It is extremely important that we respect the limitations of this directive. We continue to see record numbers of cases in the areas around us while, in Kahnawà:ke, we presently have three cases.”

Please note that it is a personal responsibility to ensure that these visits are done safely; if someone does not wish to have anyone else in their home, it is a personal choice.

“This measure is being put in place to help reduce stress and anxiety levels in Kahnawà:ke,” he added. “We must all do our part to help protect our most vulnerable population – which is what we’ve been doing all along. Working together as a community we can limit and manage the spread of the virus.”

Details on this Directive are available by clicking here.

Remember: Distance, Frequent Hand Washing, and Masks!

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Baby Sitting

Baby Sitting During Covid-19

It is important for both babysitters and parents
to know that anyone that comes into your home
could bring in the Covid-19 virus or be exposed
to the Covid-19 virus through your own family.
Following these steps can help you minimize
potential risk of infection and stay safe and
healthy.

View the Pamphlet here

 

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Community concerns to COVID-19 Task Force Directives

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke wishes to inform the community of ongoing discussions between the Council of Chiefs and Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force regarding community concerns on business reopening and non-local access directives.

The Council of Chiefs and the Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force met on June 2nd, 2020 to review and discuss concerns pertaining to the re-opening of business and access to the territory by non-locals. The discussion took place as a measure to address the strong community reaction to the directives that took effect on June 1st, 2020. In addition to updates on various activities and incidents experienced during the first day of business opening, there was discussion on the scope of the directives and community concerns and reactions.

Following the meeting, the Task Force issued a clarification that the directive for non-locals accessing the territory is intended solely for direct family members of Kahnawa’kehró:non. Regarding the business reopening directive, the Task Force confirmed that by the end of the week, there will be a thorough evaluation of the information in order to identify modifications, such as hours of operation, of the directive. These changes will be in accordance with the information and data being collected over the course of the first days of implementation.

“While the Task Force has been given full and necessary authority to mitigate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a non-political entity,” stated Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton. “They are concerned first and foremost with the health and safety of the community, and with proceeding in a way that is based on science and evidence. However, as the elected leaders of the community, the Council of Chiefs also must consider the community responses and reactions to changes of directives which will impact their daily realities. The Council and the Task Force must collaborate to ensure this is done in a balanced manner, and today was a good reminder of the importance of that.”

“Council Chiefs have been receiving calls continuously from community members on the measures and directives in place since the pandemic began,” the grand Chief added. “Many of us hear directly from concerned parents, grandparents, elders, organizational leaders and business owners on a daily basis. We want to assure the community that we continue to remain available to hear your concerns and will do our upmost to ensure that all community interests are protected, defended and balanced with community needs”.

The Council of Chiefs will be holding further discussion with the Task Force regarding the scope and conditions of business reopening during the evaluation process later in the week.

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Clarification – Family members who live outside of the community may visit Kahnawake

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force wishes to make a clarification on the press release issued Saturday, May 30th entitled, ‘Non-local invited guests to be permitted in Kahnawake on June 1st.’

The release stated that it was permitted for non-locals to visit, but it should have read that ‘Family members’ who are invited guests may be on the Territory.’

This clarification is being made in an effort to relieve stress and anxiety that many family members are experiencing during this very difficult time. Visitors are asked to please respect the following measures:

  • Physical distancing of 6 feet be maintained at all times
  • All visits remain outdoors in groups of eight (8) or less
  • Health Screening for signs and symptoms of family visitors is highly recommended
  • Family members traveling from other provinces are recommended to self-isolate for 14 days 
  • Family members who are traveling from the USA are still subject to the mandatory 14 days self isolation.

It is important to note that any visitors must be invited guests of Kahnawà:ke residents. Those found in the Territory without reason (not a guest or not for commerce purposes) are subject to fines.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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Update on Re-Opening of Kahnawake Business

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force wishes to update the community on the status of the ‘Re-Opening of Kahnawà:ke Business’ that began yesterday.

While much planning went into the Re-Opening, the sheer number of clients/customers that came to the Territory caused an increased level of anxiety within the community.

The amount of traffic has dropped significantly from yesterday. However, many concerns remain.

“The pandemic is still here, will be here for at least the next year, and a great many Kahnawa’kehró:non are both fearful and frustrated,” said Commissioner of Public safety Lloyd Phillips. “The Re-Opening has brought a lot of these feelings to the surface and leadership – including the Task Force – must be sensitive to this reality. We all share these feelings and cannot ignore them.”

The Task Force is continuously monitoring and carefully evaluating the current situation and will compile and assess the first phase of the Re-Opening. This information will be shared with the community by the end of this week.

“Every measure has been taken to open safely, and to protect our elders and the at-risk population,” Phillips concluded. “Once we are able to assess the information we compile, we can make any changes we deem necessary to alleviate the community’s concerns.”

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Non-local invited guests to be permitted in Kahnawake on June 1st

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force wishes to advise the public that, beginning on Monday, June 1st, non-local visitors/invited guests will be permitted on the Territory.

It is important to note that any visitors MUST be invited guests of Kahnawà:ke residents. Those found in the Territory without reason (not a guest or not for commerce purposes) are subject to fines.

As per previous Task Force Directives, personal distancing must be maintained, and all visits must be conducted outdoors in groups of eight (8) people or less.