Six Nations tightens restrictions amid ‘alarming’ COVID-19 transmission rates
Six Nations of the Grand River is tightening restrictions amid a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the community.
In a special closed-door council meeting Oct. 15, Six Nations elected council passed four motions to increase health and safety measures in the community, according to an Oct. 20 press release.
Council moved to keep federally-run schools closed to students, but reopen them to staff in January. This decision will be reevaluted in December.
Face coverings, such as cloth masks, will now be mandatory within all public indoor spaces and ride services" on Six Nations, the release reads. Face or mouth shields are not sufficient when used on their own.
Children under the age of two, people with a medical condition that inhibits mask-wearing or who cannot put on or take off a mask without assistance and employees behind a physical barrier are among the exemptions.
Residents will now only be allowed to hold unmonitored" indoor and outdoor gatherings with members of their households. Previously, gatherings of under 25 people indoors and under 40 people outdoors had been allowed.
Six Nations elected council strongly discourages" door-to-door trick-or-treating, and will be hosting a COVID-safe" drive-thru Halloween event on Oct. 31 from 4 to 7 p.m.
The new rules, which take effect immediately, are based on recommendations from the emergency control group (ECG), a committee of elected officials and traditional leaders, in an effort to slow the spread due to the rise in cases and alarming community transmission rate," the release reads.
Last week, public health officials pleaded with residents to stay home and avoid gatherings. In an Oct. 14 live broadcast, elected chief Mark Hill said the entire community" is in a state of crisis" after a spike in cases - and demand for testing - after the Thanksgiving long weekend.
As of Oct. 20, Six Nations has had 72 cases of COVID-19 - nearly half of them reported since Oct. 14. There are currently 35 active cases in the community.
Of the 72 cases, 38 have been resolved. Six Nations has had one death.
Kate McCullough is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: kmccullough@thespec.com