Nunavut, unaffected by coronavirus, takes drastic action

Text by: Pascale Guéricolas

Nunavut, a northern Canadian territory bordering the Arctic Ocean, is one of the few regions in the world with no cases of Covid-19. The authorities have put in place severe measures to delay the arrival of the virus as much as possible in this community of 39,000 people. It is indeed a region with very little health infrastructure and medical personnel.

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From our correspondent in Quebec,

Currently not easy to reach Nunavut, only accessible by plane. Before returning home, residents must spend 14 days in one of the hotels in four Canadian cities.

Security guards stand guard outside their rooms, just to make sure that everyone keeps their distance and does not contaminate people in Nunavut.

On site, the 25 northern communities, linked only by air, live in confinement. The local government asked them to act as in Piqsiq time, in other words a blizzard, which requires everyone to stay at home.

Aware of the economic difficulties posed by this voluntary confinement for a much poorer territory than the rest of Canada, the authorities are asking for more aid.

Locally, some villages suggest activities to maintain social ties. In Cambridge Bay, where it is around -15 degrees during the day, the town hall sent pieces of fabric to the mailboxes. A unit-themed quilt will soon be produced.

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