The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is advising Yukoners to follow federal guidance prior to any travel outside Canada. This guidance has recently changed due to the Omicron variant and is updated regularly. Many countries around the world are experiencing community transmission so it is important to follow the federal travel advice. Caution is also advised for those planning to travel within Canada due to early community transmission of Omicron within some regions of Canada.
Many Yukoners are looking forward to travelling over the coming holidays. While I recognize modifying your travel plans would be disappointing, taking this action now will protect yourself and those around you from the spread of this variant. I urge those who are most vulnerable, not fully vaccinated, have a chronic disease or are older to exercise extra cautions in the coming weeks. And everyone needs to continue practising the Safe 6, wearing a mask and getting vaccinated no matter your plans this holiday season.
acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott
Omicron is more transmissible than other COVID-19 variants and is already the most dominant variant in several countries around the world. It is more transmissible than previous COVID-19 variants and may cause many severe cases.
If Yukoners take caution with travel this holiday season it may slow the introduction and spread of Omicron in the Yukon.
A number of Canadian jurisdictions, including Ontario, are seeing community transmission of the Omicron variant and it is expected to be the dominant variant in some parts of Canada by the end of the year.
Vaccines appear to be less effective against the Omicron variant.
For more information and the latest travel updates from the Government of Canada visit travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.
Andrew Robulack
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-335-6040
andrew.robulack@yukon.ca