Nunavut officials don't need to isolate after government travel: top doctor

Nunavut's members of the Legislative Assembly, the territory's memberof Parliament and its senatorcannow be exempt from the territory'spublic health order to self-isolate before travelling to Nunavut, according to the chief public health officer.

In Tuesday's press conferenceDr. Michael Pattersonsaid these officials will be required to submit a written requestto be approved by his office to get the exemption.

It only applies to necessarytravel related to Parliamentary, Legislative Assembly, and constituencybusiness not to personal travel.It does not apply to government staff or elected officials' families.

The change in the travel restrictions is to allow the Nunavut government to conduct government business, Patterson said.

If they choose, officials can still isolate in the hotel quarantine for 14 days in one of the territory's southernhubs.

Upon returning from official business, Nunavut representatives will be required to follow the protocols for all critical workers for 14 days. That meansthey will have to self-isolate when not at work, maintain physical distance at work, andshould wear a mask when separation cannot be maintained, Patterson said.

What's the latest?

Government offices will reopen to the public on Monday, according to Premier Joe Savikataaq.

There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut. As of July 29, the government website states that public health is monitoring 236 peoplefor symptoms. In total,1,751 people have been investigated.

The lastpublic health emergency order wasextended until Aug.6.

The premier's office said this will be the last weekly newsconference on COVID-19 this month. A statement said it will schedule news conferences if and when they're needed over the next few weeks.

At the last news conference the government announced it had opened a second isolation centre in Winnipeg.

Subsequently, some Nunavummiut spoke out about the need for change at the government-approved isolation centres in the Manitoba capital, saying rules are inconsistent, there havebeen incidents with disruptive guests, and a lack of communication.

Nunavuteducation authorities also went public last week with their concerns over school reopening plans in the territory particularly around the cost and implementation of new cleaning guidelines, and physical distancing requirements.

Three presumptive cases announced in July at the Mary River Mine near Pond Inletwere allconfirmed negativeby an Ontario lab.

Tuesday's newsconference will also play on local cable, on channel 233, and will air at 4 p.m. ET on the CBCRadio show Tusaajaksat.

Missed the press conference? Watch it here: