Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola's staff are reviewing the current travel restrictions between the NWT and Yukon.
Town of Inuvik Mayor Natasha Kulikowski told Town Council she had asked Dr. Kandola herself how the idea looked from her desk during the month's CPHO-Municipal and Community Association conference call March 5.
"Her response was that her office is reviewing that contribute to the potential for a relaxation at the border or bubble like the NWT has with Nunavut," said Kulikowski. "Some of the requirements she listed are the Yukon's vaccine roll-out — which she noted is very good — and their low case counts, and the risks have to be assessed to the residents of the NWT.
"While she wasn't able to give a definite answer or timeline, she wanted council to know it is being considered and also just said that even if her office was to approve, it would have to be reciprocated by the Yukon government as well (to establish a travel bubble.)"
Kulikowski noted she had been asked by a resident to pen a letter on behalf of the town in support of Inuvik-Twin Lakes MLA Lesa Semmler's push to re-open the border in the legislature and support an NWT-Yukon travel bubble.
Councillors opted to hold off on writing the letter, as the main intent was to put a travel bubble on the agenda.
Many councillors also voiced their support for Dr. Kandola's expertise on the matter.
"I'm sure none of us like being in isolation," said Coun. Clarence Wood. "We hire professionals. Dr. Kandola, as far as I'm concerned, has done an excellent job to date. Probably the reason why our rate of infection is as low as it is."
As of February, individuals traveling between Nunavut and the NWT who do not exhibit Covid-19 symptoms can apply for an exemption for the 14-day self-isolation.
Yukon had previously established a travel bubble with British Columbia, but popped it last November when Covid-19 cases began to spike in that province.