FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION – New restrictions put in place by Fort William First Nation Friday continue to allow access to most businesses on reserve, while limiting access to residential areas. But chief Peter Collins says it’s a step on the way to a “full lockdown” for the community, as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region continues to grow.
Security checkpoints at entrances to residential areas will restrict access to only those who live or work in the community between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Greater restrictions will apply from 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., though it was not immediately clear what those will be.
In a video update Wednesday, Collins had said access into and out of the community “will be denied to anyone” overnight. A video posted Friday did not include those details, while Collins was not immediately available for comment.
The band is calling on residents to submit the names and addresses of those living with them, to ensure no one is improperly denied access. Businesses in the community have been issued colour-coded passes for their workers.
In a video message to the community, Collins warned stricter measures are on their way as the virus spreads.
“As things change and as the numbers grow in this region, we’ll get to the point where we’re into a full lockdown, but we’re not there yet,” he said.
Collins said the community was phasing in that lockdown, in an attempt to avoid panic and ensure members maintain access to essential goods and services. One challenge is to continue supplying methadone to those in addiction recovery as the community limits access.
“We want to make sure we don’t create any more chaos, if we block off this community and we haven’t addressed every issue,” he said.
Collins ruled out ordering residents to stay indoors, but urged people to strictly follow public health guidelines on physical distancing.
“We can never tell everybody just to stay in their homes,” he said. “But we want you to stay as close to home as possible”
As of Friday, there were no confirmed COVID-19 cases in the community. Collins promised the First Nation’s leadership would provide regular updates.
“One of the things we want to remind people of, don’t listen to rumours about [cases] in the community,” he said. “We have a community health nurse here who has been working with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit on a daily basis, and once the health unit confirms any cases in Fort William, we will make sure that you know.”
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
