Can you travel within Labrador? Hodgepodge of restrictions slowly lifted

As the province entered Alert Level 4 this week, communities in Labrador a region that's gone about two months without a new case of COVID-19 are figuring out how to ease restrictions on travel.

In March, as the province'spublic health emergency was declared, Labrador leaders moved to isolate their communities from visitors.Checkpoints were erected along theTrans-Labrador Highway and the Innu Nation community of Sheshatshiu went into full lockdown, only allowing residents to leave for essentials.

Then, in early April, the Innu Nation and mayors on the Combined Councils of Labrador called for a full ban on all non-essential travel, asking the premier to halt all ferries and flights into Labrador and shut down land routes.

The Quebec border crossings at Labrador Westand along the south coast were later staffed by government employees to check the essential status of incoming travelers.

But as of the move down an alert level on Monday, some of those restrictions are now being lifted.

As of Tuesday, signs warning against non-essential travel between communities have mostly been removed in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, with just one remaining on the road to Labrador City. The checkpoint has been dismantled due to the change in alert level, the town confirmed.

The sign now says the town "strongly recommends" anyone entering from other parts of Labrador to self-isolate for 14 days.

Those entering Labrador by ferry, however, must still abide by rules set out by Labrador Marine. Passengers must reserve their ticket, remain in their vehicles during the crossingand are encouraged to wear a face mask, the operator said in a release Monday.

The latest of six total cases so far in the Labrador-Grenfell Health regionwas announced April 4. All patients have since recovered.

'We had it under control'

SheshatshiuChief Eugene Hart sayswhen the province downgraded to Alert Level 4,he notified the community they were free to roam after two months spent withinSheshatshiulimitsas long as everyone continued toremain cautious.

"We're going to keep an eye on what the province is doing," Hart said. "If there are any changes, there's a possibility there could be another lockdown."

Hart said the lockdown provided a measure of comfort for some, andallowed leaders to keep tabs on any possible source of infection from outside.

"We had it under control pretty fast," he said.

It wasn't without a toll, however, for a community still grappling with a number of deaths in recent months and a high number of suicide attempts. Hart publicly called for more mental health resources to address those attemptslate last year.

"We went from a crisis to another crisis," Hart said, adding the last three months have felt more like three years.

"It's been a tough year in the community."

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