NWT is changing the way Covid-19 exposure warnings are given

Exposure to Covid-19 from numerous flights and stores will no longer trigger a warning on the NWT government exposure notifications webpage.

The territory said on Thursday that the high number of active Covid-19 cases meant people in “crowded public spaces, department stores, or traveling by air” should anticipate the possibility of exposure every time.

Residents should “be diligent in their continued self-monitoring for signs and symptoms, however mild, on an ongoing basis” and self-isolate if symptoms arise, the territory said.

A Government of the NWT webpage updates exhibit locations across the country every day (but not all exhibits – some, where all affected people are known to have been affected, are not published).

From now on, Air Canada and WestJet flights to Yellowknife will no longer trigger warnings, regardless of exposure. The appearance of these thefts on the exposure notifications web page had become an almost daily occurrence.

Air travelers entering the NWT are urged to use rapid tests within 24 hours of landing and again three days later, and to call Protect NWT if a positive test is returned.

Flights from outside the Northwest Territories to smaller communities will still trigger exposure notifications as needed, as will internal flights between communities.

Exhibit notices will no longer be posted for Yellowknife box stores like Canadian Tire and grocery stores, or for grocery stores in communities facing community spread. Exposure warnings where exposure lasted 15 minutes or less, or occurred more than eight days ago, will no longer be listed.

The territory said exposure warnings will continue to appear online for:

• Covid-19 identified in places where exposure has not been previously reported;
• workplaces where public exposure may have taken place;
• workplace outbreaks and company-specific outbreaks; and
• “Mass exposures affecting a large number of people”.

Related