NFN: Office Closure Extended to Tuesday, February 22nd

Press Release

Staff to continue working remotely during this time

February 12, 2021 – The provincial shutdown and stay-at-home orders remain in effect in our area until February 16^th, which coincides with the date that Nipissing First Nation (NFN) staff were scheduled to begin returning to work in our offices and facilities. Staff have been working remotely since January 11^th.

In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the province is moving to a regional approach and maintaining the shutdown in the majority of public health regions in Ontario. The province will gradually transition each region from the shutdown measures to a revised and strengthened COVID-19 Response Framework. Restrictions is our region are expected to be lifted on February 16^th, however this date is subject to change.

As COVID-19 activity has recently spiked and there is confirmation of the Variant of Concern in our district, our region’s return to the reopening framework cannot be confirmed at this time. In an effort to be proactive in planning our business operations and minimizing disruptions amidst these constantly changing circumstances, we are extending work-from-home measures for all NFN staff who are able to work remotely until Monday, February 22^nd and will continue to provide updates if this date changes.

NFN has consistently aligned our operations with provincial orders and public health measures, and will continue to take additional measures to protect our community and staff from the spread of COVID-19. This extension of work-from-home measures is an example of that, especially now that know definitively that COVID-19 in present in Garden Village as a result of our weekly wastewater testing.

Impacts to NFN Operations, Businesses & Community Services

NFN Offices: Closed to staff until Monday, February 22^nd (subject to change). Staff will work remotely during this time. Only staff who cannot work from home will be permitted to be on-site to perform their duties. Our offices remain closed to the public until further notice.
NFN Daycares: The Couchie Memorial Daycare and Nipissing Ojibway Daycare remain open for existing registrants, and where both parents/guardians require childcare due to work obligations.
NFN Afterschool Program: Closed until Monday, February 22^nd (date subject to change).
Nbisiing Secondary School: Virtual classes will continue to be offered and a 2-week active screening for staff and students will be implemented when the school reopens for in-person learning on Monday, February 22^nd (date subject to change). With March Break being postponed for Ontario public schools until April 12-16, Nbisiing will follow suit and will move midterm exams to April 8-9.
Garden Village Outdoor Rink: If restrictions are lifted in our district, the ODR is scheduled to reopen on Monday, February 16^th. The hours of operation will be 10am to 10pm and the maximum on-ice capacity limit is 25 people. Dressings rooms and washrooms remain closed. We highly recommend booking your time slot in advance using this tool: timify.com/en-ca/profile/odrbookings/?v=4. For any issues with this booking system, contact Vicky Laforge at 705-753-6971 or vickyl@nfn.ca. Please be prepared to provide your name and phone number for contact tracing purposes.
Shuttle Service (Duchesnay Creek Bridge): If the provincial shutdown and stay-at-home orders are lifted on February 16^th, the shuttle will operate from 6am to 10pm with taxi services being available for members and individuals residing in Duchesnay from 10pm to 6am by calling 705-497-7777.
Enhanced Security Patrols: Extended until Sunday, February 22^nd.
NFN Businesses in Green, Yellow or Orange Zones:
- * NEW: Stores must have passive screening for patrons (for example, posting signs outside the store front about not entering if you have COVID-19 symptoms).
- * NEW: Stores must actively screen workers before they enter the business (for example, confirm workers do not have COVID-19 symptoms before they come into the workplace).
- Updated safety plans required and made available upon request.
- Limit capacity inside so that each person can stay 2 metres apart. Face coverings over nose, mouth and chin required inside.
- No line ups outside unless customers wear a face covering and can stay 2 metres apart.

Other Reminders:

General Public Health Advice: Even if the stay-at-home order is lifted, staying home is still the best way to protect yourself and others. You are strongly advised to stay home as much as possible, except for essential reasons such as going to work, school or medical appointments, or buying groceries and medications. Avoid social gathering and limit close contacts to those in your house. It is also recommended you wear a face covering outdoors especially if you are within 2 metres of another person outside your house.
Gatherings: If the shutdown and stay-at-home orders are lifted in our district on February 16^th, limits for gatherings held in private residences, backyards or parks, where 2 metres physical distancing can be maintained will be 10 people indoors & 25 people outdoors for Green and Yellow zones. Wear a face covering when meeting with others outside of your household whether you are indoors or outdoors. Fines for not following gathering rules are being enforced (organizers can be fined up to $10,000 and each attendee may receive a $750 ticket).
Elementary & Secondary Students: Students in Grades 1 to 12 must wear masks or face coverings in schools, outdoors when not able to maintain physical distancing and on school transportation, including Nbisiing Bus Lines. Enhanced screening protocols and new screening criteria will be updated on Ontario’s COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool, along with implementing expanded targeted testing. Check your child’s school board websites for more information and updates about these new health and safety measures for students:
- Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board – www.npsc.ca
- Near North District School Board – www.nearnorthschools.ca
- Conseil Scolaire catholique Franco-Nord – www.franco-nord.ca
- Conseil Scolaire public du Nord-Est de L’Ontario – www.cspne.ca
Post-Secondary Institutions – Open for virtual instruction, with limited exceptions where in-person teaching is required (i.e. clinical training, trades). In-person learning will be available for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning.
Adult Education Students – Postponed until further notice.

All plans are subject to change, and we will continue to provide regular updates.

More Information:

Essential Services & Contacts:

Health Services:

Community Health
Home and Community Care
Medical Transportation

Kimberly Lalonde – Director of Health Services
705-753-3312 ext. 2223 | kiml@nfn.ca

Carole Lafantaisie – Community Health Nurse
705-840-8830 | chn@nfn.ca

Mental Health & Addictions:

Right Path Essential Client Services
705-753-1375 (please leave a message)
Harm reduction supplies are available every Thursday from 1pm – 4:30pm at 316 Ted Commanda Drive. Knock at the door and supplies will be prepared for you, or you can call the office or email lisal@nfn.ca to make arrangements. The Suboxone Clinic at the Health Centre is open 8:30am – 4:30pm and welcomes referrals or self-referrals.
Overdose Prevention Line – 1-888-853-8542

Social Services:

Ojibway Women’s Lodge
NFN Food Bank
Ontario Works
Child Welfare (Emergency)

Debbie McLeod – Director of Social Services
705-753-2050 ext. 1230 | debbiem@nfn.ca

Ojibway Women’s Lodge Emergency Line
705-472-3321

Food Bank Access Days
1^st & 3^rd Wednesday of each month (February 17^th, March 3^rd & 17^th)
Call 705-753-6972 or email foodbank@nfn.ca for more info.

Housing:

NFN Apartment Units – Emergency Repairs/Maintenance
705-477-1586

Infrastructure and Public Works: