The GNWT added some clarity on how Alberta residents living near the Northwest Territories border are affected by the border closure, specifically near Fort Smith.
Smith’s Landing and Fort Fitzgerald residents are restricted from entering the NWT except to receive the following essential services in Fort Smith:
- Gas
- Health Services
- Pharmacy Services
- Groeries
- Postal Services
Essential services regularly delivered to Smith’s Landing and Fort Fitzgerald residents from Fort Smith, such as fuel and water delivery, will continue.
“All workers must maintain strict social distancing by keeping two metres, or six feet, between themselves and others while on-shift,” a statement read. “All Northwest Territories residents should be doing the same no matter where they work.”
Travel restrictions
That said, Fort Smith residents are “strongly advised not to visit Smith’s Landing or Fort Fitzgerald.
“Smith’s Landing and Fort Fitzgerald residents can travel by air from the Fort Smith airport in transit to Alberta, via Hay River and Yellowknife, on the condition they have not traveled out of their community to other parts of Alberta in the last 14 days.”
Special Authorizations
If Smith’s Landing and Fort Fitzgerald residents have traveled outside their community to another part of Alberta, they must be issued special authorization from the NWT Chief Public Health Officer to travel by air through the NWT, the bulletin continued. This will only be granted in emergency situations.
To get this kind of authorization, these residents can email protectnwt@gov.nt.ca.