Coronavirus: Yukon eases restrictions on December 4

WHITEHORSE – The Government of Yukon lifts some health restrictions this weekend as the spread of COVID-19 slows in the territory.

Prime Minister Sandy Silver said on Wednesday that from December 4 proof of vaccination will no longer be required for church gatherings, under-18 sports or to access personal services such as a haircut. hair.

Silver said companies can still decide to require proof of vaccination.

Gatherings organized indoors will no longer be limited to 25 people but will be capped at 50% of the designated capacity.

The territory has 61 active cases, bringing the total to 1,519 with five new cases.

The prime minister said he could not speculate on when the territory would lift the state of emergency imposed last month amid a wave of COVID-19 infections.

Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott said officials are monitoring other provinces and territories as they deal with the worrying Omicron variant.

“It seems to be more transferable,” she said of the new variant. “We’ll see how it competes with the Delta variant and whether it becomes the dominant variant.”

The territory also opened registration to allow children to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and Elliott reiterated that the vaccine is safe.

“We know the children have suffered collateral damage from the pandemic,” she said, listing the isolation and reduced access to friends and school. “Immunizing children aged five and over can help them stay safe in school and participate in sports, games and other activities. “

Elliott said appointments for the children’s immunizations were full until Dec. 17.

Dr. Katherine Smart, president of the Canadian Pediatric and Canadian Medical Association in Whitehorse, told the press conference that immunization will make life easier for children.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on December 1, 2021.