NEWS

Play ball!

Sports, children’s activities, church gatherings can resume with some restrictions

by Ben Powless

Fresh off the recent announcement to move the communities of Eeyou Istchee into Phase 3 of deconfinement, the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB) took another step to relax pandemic-related restrictions July 7.

The move reflects the board’s confidence that existing isolation measures have been effective – with no new cases of Covid-19 in Eeyou Istchee since May.

The biggest changes now allow for up to 10 households to meet out doors, and for members of up to five households to meet indoors. Sports facilities, daycares, summer camps and other facilities are also now able to open.

Members of different households will still be required to practice phys ical distancing during their gatherings. This includes activities on the land, such as bush camps, hunting or fishing, as well as activities in com munities, such as playgrounds and beaches.

Indoor gatherings are still at higher risk than outdoor gatherings, which is why gatherings of up to five will be permitted, up from two. This will apply to places like churches, workshops and support groups.

Individuals are still expected to avoid all direct contact such as handshakes and hugs or sharing food and utensils. Indoor spaces should be well ventilated and have enough room for distancing.

Indoor sports facilities, including gyms, arenas and swimming pools, can also reopen providing the pre vious provisions are followed. Team sports, both indoors and outdoors, are free to resume.

Activities for children and youth, including summer camps and school activities, are likewise now permitted. However, those centres are asked to aim for a maximum 75% occupancy during this phase.

Childcare centres are currently operating at 40% capacity, with the goal of operating at 50% capacity by July 20, 75% by August 3, and 100% by August 16.

Caregivers are still asked to keep groups to no more than 10 people, including caregivers. They will also be asked to keep a registry on which students and caregivers are present every day.

Children under the age of 12 will be allowed to play with each other without following physical distancing rules, though they are still encour aged to stay apart a metre if possible. Children 12 and above are still to observe physical distancing proto cols. Outdoor activities are preferred over indoor activities.

Summer classes are scheduled to begin July 13. Summer school teach ers arrived last month and have been in isolation since then.

Cree School Board offices in Eeyou Istchee are set to reopen with rotating schedules, while offices in Montreal and Ottawa remain closed, with their staff members working remotely.

Eeyou Istchee has conduct ed more than 600 tests for Covid-19 among community members, with only four people awaiting results. Since testing began, 586 tested neg ative for the virus. The last of the 10 positive results came in May. Of the 579 frontline workers tested, 573 were negative while six are still wait ing for results.

Outside of Eeyou Istchee, there have been recently confirmed cases in Region 8 (Abitibi-Témiscamingue) and Region 2 (Saguenay–Lac-SaintJean). This means that travel to Region 8 should be avoided until at least July 14 if no other cases are detected. A determination of Region 2 has yet to be completed.

Anyone who travels outside of Eeyou Istchee, Nunavik or Region 10 (Nord-du-Québec) are required to self-isolate for 14 days upon return ing.

The CBHSSJB included this reminder in their update: “It is extremely important to practice phys ical distancing and precautionary measures. Everyone must do what they can to protect fellow community members. People might be comfort able with accepting a certain level of risk, but you must give thought to those vulnerable people at home which you might be bringing some thing back to.”

Across Quebec, there have been roughly 56,000 reported Covid-19 cases, though the rate of new cases is now less than 100 per day. That’s a dramatic decline from the past few months, where daily new cases often surpassed 1,000.

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Denis Lamothe MNA for Ungava

418 748-6046 (Chibougamau) 819 755-2506 (Lebel-sur-Quévillon) denis.lamothe.unga@assnat.qc.ca the Nation July 17, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

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JOB TITLE: CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO) DATE OF POSTING: July 20, 2020 END OF POSTING: August 7, 2020 at 5:00 pm

JOB SUMMARY

U nder the immediate supervision and direction of the Board of Directors, more specifically the President, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for the day-to-day functions of the operations and administration of Chisasibi Business Development Group Inc. and its subsidiaries, and working with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on financial projections. As a key member of the senior management team, the COO establishes operating policies and procedures that promote company culture and values. V isit our facebook page at Chisasibi Business & Development Group Inc. to view the COO posting and details regarding the main responsibilities, employment requirements and conditions.

For more inquiries, please contact Wabigwan Polson, Director of Human Resources at (819) 855-2977 ext. 349 or by email at wabigwan.polson@cbdgi.ca