Public health restrictions to be lifted on May 25

As the Yukon’s vaccine uptake continues to increase the Government of Yukon will begin lifting public health restrictions on Tuesday, May 25.

Fully vaccinated people will no longer need to self-isolate upon entry to the territory as of May 25.

These individuals will need to sign a declaration that they have been fully vaccinated and will also need to provide consent for the verification of their vaccination status in order to be exempt from self-isolation requirements.

If an individual does not want to consent to providing that information, they can still enter the territory as long as they self-isolate for 14 days.

Additional changes as of May 25 include:

  • bars and restaurants will be able to return to full capacity for table service;
  • social bubbles can increase to 20 individuals;
  • social gathering sizes can increase with physical distancing:
    • indoor gatherings up to 20 individuals with mask use;
    • outdoor gatherings up to 100 individuals;
  • organized indoor and outdoor gatherings and events can increase to 200 individuals with physical distancing provided the venue or space can accommodate;
  • funerals, weddings and faith-based services can increase to 200 individuals with physical distancing provided the venue or space can accommodate;
  • gyms and recreation centres can increase to 200 individuals with physical distancing provided the venue or space can accommodate; and
  • camps and recreational programs can increase to 20 individuals indoors with physical distancing and mask use and 100 individuals outdoors with physical distancing.

These changes are based on recommendations from Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley and are guided by A Path Forward: Yukon’s plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions.

Yukoners are still required to follow the Safe 6 plus 1, which means wearing a mask in indoor public places. To book a vaccine appointment or find more information, visit https://yukon.ca/en/this-is-our-shot.

The territory’s vaccine uptake to date has been great to see. It means that we can safely start lifting restrictions as part of our Path Forward Plan. We are in a fortunate position because of the diligence of Yukoners and we need to keep it up.  We are leading the country when it comes to vaccinations and that work continues. With our youth vaccine rollout starting next month, we look forward to seeing our immunization rates continue to increase. The more people get immunized, the safer our territory will be.

Premier Sandy Silver 

We have shown great progress with our vaccination campaign since we began administering vaccines in January. Yukon is in a good place right now and our risk levels are much lower than just a few weeks ago. I believe that based on our current risk levels, we can support the easing of some public health measures while ensuring the well-being and safety of Yukoners remains top of mind.

Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley 

Quick facts 
  • 14-day self-isolation is still mandatory for travellers who are not fully-vaccinated. Household hosts of these travellers must also self-isolate unless the hosts are fully vaccinated. More details are available on Yukon.ca.

  • If an individual provides consent for the verification of their vaccination status, personal health information will only be accessed by Health and Social Services staff who are authorized under the Health Information Protection and Management Act (HIPMA).

  • As of May 20, 2021, 27,381 first doses of vaccine have been provided and 24,153 second doses.

  • Social bubbles should include no more than 20 people from no more than five different households.

Media contact 

Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca

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

News release #: 
21-146