Nickel Belt News Volume 60 • Issue 37
Friday, September 11, 2020
Thompson, Manitoba
Serving the Norman Region since 1961
Chief public health officer outlines exemptions to restrictions on travel to the north BY IAN GRAHAM
EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET
Manitoba chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin provided more information about the second public health order restricting travel into Northern Manitoba at his Sept. 3 news conference. The ban on non-essential travel north of the 53rd parallel and into remote communities not connected to the provincial highway system by all-weather roads took effect Sept. 4 but Roussin noted there are numerous exemptions. These include residents of Northern Manitoba and people moving permanently into the region as well as employees of federal and provincial governments, Crown corporations, other government agencies or child and family services agencies. “Our northern travel restrictions have never impacted the travel within Northern Manitoba nor has it impacted the travel of northern residents outside the north,” said Roussin. Travel restrictions do not apply to health care providers travelling to provide health care services or people travelling into the region for emergency medical treatment. Educational professionals such as teachers and professors as well as students travelling to attend post-secondary institutions are also exempt from the travel ban. People who own or work for a business who are travelling to deliver goods
Ban on non-essential travel north of the 53rd parallel went into effect Sept. 4 or public services or to operate businesses are free to enter the region, as are people travelling for a trial or other judicial proceedings and people travelling as part of their parenting arrangements. Visitors bound for cottages, cabins, provincial parks, campgrounds or hunting and fishing lodges are allowed to enter Northern Manitoba if they have no COVID-19 symptoms but are expected to limit their use of local services while travelling and staying at their final destination. Tourists are also allowed to visit Churchill, provided they travel there as directly as possible, whether by flying, driving and then flying, or by taking the train. Anyone travelling into Northern Manitoba by public transportation including planes, trains and buses must wear non-medical masks while en route. Roussin reminded people coming into Northern Manitoba to respect restrictions enacted by First Nations and that people coming into Manitoba who are required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival are not allowed to travel to Northern Manitoba or a remote community until their self-isolation period is complete.
Man stabbed to death in Leaf Rapids A woman was arrested after a 23-year-old man died from stab wounds in Leaf Rapids Sept. 2. Leaf Rapids RCMP responded to a report of a stabbing at a Mukasew Bay residence in Leaf Rapids around 10 a.m. Wednesday and found the man unresponsive inside. He was transported to hospital where he died of his injuries. No further details about the woman who was arrested were released. Leaf Rapids RCMP continue to investigate alongside the RCMP’s Major Crime Unit and Forensic Identification Services.
Two people found dead inside Cross Lake home that caught fire early Sept. 3 A house fire early Sept. 3 in Cross Lake left two people dead, police say. Cross Lake RCMP responded to a report of a house fire in the Natamik 1 area of Pimicikamak Cree Nation just before 4 a.m. Sept. 3. The house was engulfed in flames when police arrived and was then extinguished by the Cross Lake fire department. Two bodies were later found inside the home. Initial police investigation determined that there were four adults in the house when the fire began. The other two occupants escaped safely. Cross Lake RCMP, RCMP Forensic Identification Services and the Office of the Fire Commissioner continue to investigate.