Press Release Manitoulin COVID-19 Leadership Coordination Committee

AUNDECK OMNI KANING • M’CHIGEENG • SHEGUIANDAH • SHESHEGWANING • WHITEFISH RIVER • ZHIIBAAHAASING
UNITED CHIEFS and COUNCILS
O F M N I D O O M N I S I N G
P.O. Box 275, M’Chigeeng First Nation, Ontario P0P 1G0 • Telephone: (705) 377-5307 • Fax: (705) 377-5309
PRESS RELEASE
THE MANITOULIN COVID-19 LEADERSHIP COORDINATION COMMITTEE
June 3, 2020
The Manitoulin COVID-19 Leadership Coordination Committee met for its fifth session on Tuesday,
June 2nd, and is pleased to report that community leaders comprising five First Nations (including the
UCCMM Tribal Council) and six Municipalities participated in the Committee’s deliberations.
Manitoulin Island leadership all agreed that the Committee’s priority of ensuring that all voices are
respected and heard is truly catching on. Whether it is walking on the streets and trails or experiences
in social media, there is a sense that Island residents are putting respect and kinship over racist attitudes.
All leaders joined in encouraging this positive spirit of harmony in such challenging times.
The increasing presence of seasonal residents on the Island was the subject of lengthy discussion. In
particular, leadership are all agreed that the legal obligations on those traveling in from the United
States bear repeating: under the Quarantine Act, they are required to spend 14 days in self-isolation
immediately upon arrival. For more information, potential travelers should consult the Public Health
Agency
of
Canada
website
<https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-
citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/travel-restrictions-exemptions.html#exemptions>.
The Committee notes that Ontario has extended the State of Emergency for another four weeks and
reminds everyone that we cannot be complacent. Anyone experiencing mild symptoms of COVID-19
should seek testing. Essential service providers should also access testing regularly.
The ventilator campaign has successfully funded four ventilators, which are expected to arrive shortly.
Further updates will be provided once they arrive.
Leaders have noticed that local businesses are beginning to re-open, and that the MS Chi-Cheemaun
has begun ferry service for essential transportation as of June 1, 2020. Businesses are encouraged to
access resources from the local health authority to ensure that they are implementing the most up-to-
date safety protocols, such as wearing face coverings. Leadership thanks residents for supporting these
local businesses, which in turn supports economic prosperity on the Island.
Our next committee meeting will occur on Tuesday, June 9th, and we look forward to continuing to
coordinate our efforts.