Due to the recent rising of COVID-19 positive cases in Alberta, and other Canadian provinces, the Blood Tribe Emergency Management Team urges Blood Reserve residents to act in preventing the resurgence of cases in our community.
We have held at zero cases for nine consecutive weeks, and thank everyone for their excellent efforts in maintaining the health and safety of our elders and immunocompromised loved ones. As the long weekend approaches, we know many of you have altered plans for family gatherings, and Blood Tribe Chief and Council asks that each family remain within their “family cohort or bubble”. We also want to reinforce recommendations given by Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam:
* Families celebrating outdoors should follow physical distancing guidelines
* Avoid sharing food and other objects during meals
* Opt for virtual dinners instead of in-person gatherings
* Indoor holiday gatherings should be kept small
We have endured long challenging months of the pandemic, which changed the lives of everyone. As we adopt these new precautions, please remember they contribute to our safety, and keeping the virus out of our community. We hope that we continue to keep the numbers as low as possible, by following these guidelines:
• Respect the reserve-wide curfew: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Restrict travel:
o Non-members are to continue through the reserve without stopping in communities to purchase gas, confectionery items, etc.
o Blood Tribe members – essential reasons only
• Wear face masks in public – public facilities require them. (Free face masks are available at most local Blood Reserve businesses.)
• Keep gatherings limited to 15 indoors and 50 outdoors
• Remember COVID-19 testing is available for those experiencing symptoms and those who do not:
o Call (403) 737-8411 to make arrangements
o Testing is located at the Blood Tribe Health Centre parking lot
• Please continue to practice:
o Physical distancing of two metres (six feet)
o Safe hand hygiene – do not touch your face, cover coughing and sneezing with an elbow, wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, use alcohol- based hand sanitizer
o Cleaning and disinfecting common surfaces
• If feeling sick/ill (sore throat, fever, coughing, headache) please call (403) 737-8411 and stay home to avoid contact with other people by self-isolating, and follow the instructions of our health professionals
Please remember to be kind and compassionate to each other, as we face these difficult times.
Stay Safe. Stay Healthy.
Blood Tribe Emergency Management Team
