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

COVID-19 case count

As of today, June 5, at 2 p.m. the COVID-19 case count remains at 11 in the territory. All of the 11 people who have contracted COVID-19 in Yukon have recovered. There are no active cases in the territory and 1,201 people have been tested. We have had no new cases since April 20.

Updated guidance for critical and essential service workers released

The Government of Yukon is recognizing the accomplishments of Yukon’s sport community in 2019 with the announcement of the Celebration of Sport Excellence awards.

Yukon resident hunters can apply for a Special Guide Licence (SGL) from June 5 to 18, 2020.

A Yukon resident with a valid big game hunting licence who obtains an SGL may guide a non-resident Canadian hunter for moose, caribou or bison. They may also apply for weighting only, which will improve their chances in future SGL lotteries. 

Restaurants and other businesses with a liquor licence are receiving support from the Government of Yukon. Liquor licensees will now receive a discount of 25 per cent off the retail price for liquor. This discount will be applied for the duration of restrictions requiring restaurants to open at half their usual capacity, which began on May 29.

Cobalt Construction of Whitehorse has been awarded a $10.8 million contract to make safety improvements along the Alaska Highway between Lodestar Lane and Burns Road.

This summer, a signalized intersection will be built at the Hillcrest intersection to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The contract also includes a new paved multi-use trail along the highway which will connect to the City of Whitehorse’s growing trail network. Additional through lanes and dedicated turn lanes will also be added to improve the flow of traffic and reduce the likelihood of collisions.

The Government of Yukon is pleased to announce the selection of 11 new artworks for inclusion in the Yukon Permanent Art Collection.

The new acquisitions are the work of Yukon artists Justin Apperley, Audrey and Karrie Brown, Kimberly Edgar, Vashti Etzel, Violet Gatensby, Hannah Jickling and Valerie Salez, Daphne Mennell, Roland Peters, Monika Käte Steputh and Eugene Alfred.

The selected works showcase an array of stylistic approaches and themes and represent a wide range of media including carving, photography, painting, beadwork, knife making and even snow shovelling.

Today, June 3, marks the one-year anniversary of the formal release of the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirited individuals (MMIWG2S+): “Reclaiming Power and Place”. The Final Report comprises the truths of more than 2,380 family members, survivors of violence, experts and Knowledge Keepers gathered from two years of public hearings and evidence gathering. It delivers 231 individual Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries and all Canadians.

Minister of Education Tracy-Anne McPhee released the following statement on Yukon Graduate Day:

As Minister of Education, I am so pleased to announce that June 10, 2020 has officially been proclaimed “Yukon Graduate Day”.

Graduation is such an important milestone for every student, their families and their school communities. It is a time to celebrate dedication and achievement in learning. It marks the transition into next the stage of life, continuing to the next level at school, starting postsecondary studies or embarking on a career.

Disability Services families are receiving additional funding to help support them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible families will receive an additional $250 to $400 per month to help pay for supports, as there has been a significant reduction of services available in the community due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community supports and services that are typically available include schools, day programs and recreation facilities. These facilities are currently unavailable or more difficult to access.

Today the Government of Yukon and the Chief Medical Officer of Health provided a progress update on easing COVID-19 restrictions in Yukon. Premier Silver and Dr. Hanley confirmed that if conditions continue trending positively Yukon is on track to begin Phase II on July 1.