October 21, 2020: COVID-19 update

The Government of Yukon has the following updates for the Yukon public on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 cases and recoveries

As of today, October 21, at 11 a.m., the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 17. Fifteen people have recovered and there are currently two active cases, with both people in self-isolation and recovering at home. We have tested 3,814 people.

COVID-19 Testing Centre

From Tuesday, October 13, to Monday, October 19, we tested 100 people at the COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre (CTAC) in Whitehorse.

Reporting public concerns

Be kind and understanding. People in transit through the territory are now driving in winter conditions. Report concerns to covid19info@gov.yk.ca or phone 1-877-374-0425 and avoid direct actions when suspecting someone is not following measures.

Flu clinics

Yukon’s influenza vaccine has been available since Monday, October 19, with the first week aimed at those more vulnerable to complications from influenza. These include Yukon residents with chronic medical conditions, as well as those over 65, pregnant women and young children.

Vaccines will be available for the general public as of Monday, October 26. Due to COVID-19, clinics will have been rearranged to ensure proper safety precautions are taken. In addition, certain pharmacists within Whitehorse are offering flu shots by appointment this year.

Gatherings and social bubbles 

All Yukoners are reminded to adhere to Yukon’s guidance on gatherings and keep social groups small and intimate. Your social bubble can include 15 people but you should not socialize with more than 10 at a time indoors. If you gather with anyone who is not in your social bubble, you must keep a two-metre (six feet) distance from them at all times. Organized and seated gatherings have higher limits, as long as all precautions are observed. See Yukon.ca for more details. 

New Civil Emergency Measures Act charge

One charge was laid on October 19 for a Yukon resident who travelled outside of Yukon, BC, the NWT and Nunavut within the previous 14 days and did not follow self-isolation requirements.

Canada and US border

Canada and the US has continued to extend the border closures to non-essential travel until November 21. Yukoners can find more information about what is considered essential travel here.

Enforcement statistics

The Government of Yukon has received 930 complaints as of October 18:

  • Failure to self-isolate: 523
  • Gatherings over 10 inside or 50 outside: 25
  • Failure to transit through Yukon in 24 hours or stay on the designated route: 359
  • Businesses failing to comply with orders: 10
  • Failure to abide by a declaration form or not permitted entry into Yukon: 13
  • Other: 1

There have been a total of 14 people charged, and 19 charges laid under the Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA).

A total of 55,130 travellers have come into Yukon:

  • Resident travellers: 12,860
  • BC residents: 12,215
  • NWT residents: 385
  • Other approved jurisdictions: 167
  • Non-residents staying: 9,690
  • Non-residents transiting: 19,728
  • Other: 785
  • Decals distributed indicating out-of-territory vehicles allowed in Yukon: 322
Media contact 

Matthew Cameron
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7136
matthew.cameron@gov.yk.ca

Pat Living
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-335-1531
patricia.living@gov.yk.ca

News release #: 
20-307