Premier Sandy Silver and Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee have issued the following statement:

“The start of this year has been extremely difficult and incredibly sad, as our territory continues to struggle with devastating loss of life due to opioids and mental health issues.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies go out to all of the families, friends and communities mourning and navigating these troubling times.

The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott has declared an outbreak at the Copper Ridge Place long-term care home following the identification of two COVID-19 cases.  

The current situation is contained and routine outbreak management procedures are in place, including screening and testing protocols. Additional information has been shared with residents, staff and families.

The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is recommending that Yukoners returning from domestic travel monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and self-isolate when they are sick.  

This new recommendation removes the recommendation to reduce contacts for the three or five day period following travel that were included in the holiday guidelines on Yukon.ca. This change is being made to reflect that COVID-19 activity is similar in the Yukon to that outside the territory.

The Government of Yukon is launching new film, television and digital media funding programs to support the territory’s media content creators and provide economic benefits and employment opportunities to Yukoners working in screen based industries. These programs consist of the Predevelopment Fund, Development Fund, Media Production Fund and the Training Fund.

To help meet the growing demand for testing in response to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the Government of Yukon is providing rapid antigen tests to Yukoners with symptoms of COVID-19 free of charge.

Additional public health measures intended to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and limit impacts on the Yukon’s health care system are now enforceable under the Civil Emergency Measures Act.

These additional temporary public health measures are based on recommendations from the Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health:

Based on the recommendations of the acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Government of Yukon is adjusting its approach to testing for COVID-19 in response to the advent of the new Omicron variant of concern.

With widespread community transmission of Omicron throughout the territory and across Canada, there is no longer the capacity to use lab-based PCR tests for most people to confirm whether they have COVID-19.

Covid-19 case counts are on the rise in the territory with 158 new cases since Friday, December 31, 2021, 245 active cases and 32 per cent test positivity rate.

The acting Chief Medical Officer of Health is urging the public to stay home when sick with even the mildest of symptoms.