Task Force issues visitation guidelines for holidays

12/30/2021

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force wishes to advise the community that due to the rising number of COVID-19 positive cases (currently at 93 active, 101 total in 5th wave) and the high number of persons in isolation (estimated to be in the hundreds) within the community, it has issued Guidelines for safe visitation for the remainder of this holiday season.

The current situation is deemed critical and the risk of transmission of the virus is significant. As a result, it is imperative that community members do everything they can to keep themselves, their families, and the community as healthy and safe as possible. Therefore, the following Guidelines have been put in place:

The first and safest recommendation is to:
• Stay within your own household and have no family visits

The second recommendation, which involves increased risk, is to:
• Have one other household visit per day, between now and January 8, 2021 – while respecting Masking, Distancing, and proper Hand Hygiene at all times

Private home visits should NOTinclude the following:
• Parties
• Gatherings of multiple households or multiple family members from different households. More than two other households in your home at the same time is not recommended

Private home visits should NOT take place if you or someone in your household:
• Is over 70 years of age, immuno-suppressed, or otherwise at risk
• Lives with someone who is at risk or takes care of someone who is at risk
• Has COVID-19, has COVID-19-related symptoms, has been around a positive case, tested positive with a rapid test, or are awaiting test results

Home visits and increased numbers of contacts in the home increases the risk of transmitting the virus. It is the personal responsibility of each and every person to ensure that, if we have people visiting our home, the visits are conducted safely. We must all do our part to protect our most vulnerable. Working as a community, we can manage and limit the spread of COVID-19.

For more information on COVID-19 Testing and Isolation requirements, a list of current measures in Kahnawà:ke or When you should take a rapid test, visit www.kahnawake911.com.