To our Community;
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the KPMA will be publishing our weekly membership newsletters on this website to better share some of the information and initiatives we are taking. This posting is not a complete newsletter, please contact the office if you are interested in becoming a member.
It was another big week here in the home office of the KPMA. The overarching message is that the health and safety of all Yukoners (seasonal and otherwise) is of the utmost importance. We are incredibly fortunate to be part of an industry that has the ability to operate physically isolated from others. Some might say we have a tendency to be socially distant at the best of times, so that’s in our favour, too. Placer miners can do it all, you are the entrepreneurial Swiss army knives of industry, and some extra planning and coordination on your part at the start of this season can make all the difference not just for your operation but for all Yukoners.
We ALL have to take part in following the rules in response to Covid-19. Compliance by all operators is essential to eliminate the spread of the disease through mining channels, build trust in our communities at a time when we need each other most fundamentally, and, work within the legislated requirements all essential service businesses must operate.
Under the new Guidelines, mining has been deemed an essential service under the Manufacturing heading, but please be clear, this does NOT change your obligation to follow all recommendations. Page 4 of the document says that “essential services should and are encouraged to remain open while following the legal orders and the guidelines and recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH)”.
The new Civil Emergency Measures Health Protection Orders ensure that orders given by the CMOH are enforceable as law, under the Civil Emergency Measures Act; including:
- all individuals entering Yukon must self-isolate for 14 days;
- all people entering Yukon must provide a signed declaration including contact information and details of their self-isolation plan and declare they don’t have any COVID-19 symptoms;
- critical service providers may in some cases provide a critical service without having self-isolated for 14 days;
- no more than 10 people can gather in the same place unless they live together;
- all restaurants that remain open must only provide take out;
- all bars must close;
- dental visits are limited to emergency only;
- all personal service businesses such as hair salons, tattoo parlours and massage therapy must close; and
- non-residents transiting through Yukon must exit within 24 hours after entry (read the Guideline for more info on critical workers like truckers).
A strongly worded recommendation at this time is to not travel to the communities unless absolutely necessary. These orders are being enforced by Peace Officers and the Yukon borders are currently being staffed to ensure any traveller can meet the requirements above. Check out the tools section below for more info on how KPMA can help.
To help our membership we’ve developed and are still working on various tools to aid in the safe and responsible start of the 2020 season. The KPMA supports all responsible miners in their operations, as long as the work being performed is done according to the recommendations made by the CMOH, which are noted above and available at Yukon.ca/covid-19. Contact the office for any concerns or questions you may have about where to self-isolate if you are returning to your summer homes on the creeks, we have some information we would be happy to share with you.
There are also some wonderful local businesses (Dawson and Whitehorse) that are doing what they can to support Yukoners at this time, including offering pickup or delivery options, deep cleaning of products, spaces and shared surfaces, and excessively waving from behind the glass of their safely spaced storefronts. Please, shop local as much as possible, call ahead and avoid physical contact with others.
Take care and have a great weekend!
Brooke Rudolph, Executive Director, KPMA