A New Entry Management Protocol Has Been Issued for the North Shore

NORTH SHORE – FEBRUARY 19, 2021: ENHANCED MEASURES BETWEEN THE NORTH SHORE AND NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) de la Côte-Nord issued a press release on Thursday (February 18) to inform the population that the entry management protocol for isolated territories now applies to everyone coming into the region from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

This protocol includes the following measures for people entering the Lower North Shore, Minganie and Caniapiscau MRC's from other regions of Québec, or from other Canadian provinces or
territories:

• Call 1 877 644-4545 for an appointment to be tested for COVID-19 when you arrive and after seven days.
• Respect a seven-day preventive self-isolation when you arrive (including people who live with you).
• Avoid social interactions for 14 days.

Note that this protocol does not apply for any road travels of less than 24 hours between Québec and the border villages of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Also stated in the press release is that in the coming days, an awareness team from the Red Cross will be sent to the border regions. The teams will be there to welcome visitors who enter the North Shore by plane or using the ferry, in order to inform them of the public health measures to follow. The local Sureté du Québec will maintain an active presence within the communities and with arriving visitors to ensure that the health and safety rules (no gatherings, curfew, etc.) are being followed by all.

So why the Red Cross?

Wanda Beaudoin, the Mayor of the Municipality of Blanc-Sablon, sent CFBS the following statement regarding why the Red Cross will be assisting with informing the population of the entry protocol:

"I am sure the citizens are asking why it is not the rangers doing the sensitization at the airport, the wharf and at the border, we have to say the demand to have the Rangers activated was requested several times by the mayors. However, given the complexity of getting this service activated, the CISSS de la Cote-Nord worked diligently to try to find another alternative to protect its citizens on the Lower North Shore, given the difficulty with the activation of the Rangers. So instead, an agreement was reached by the CISSS and the RED CROSS, to assume the tasks of sensitization of the population about the regulations in place.

Also, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the direction of the CISSSS and all of their staff for their hard work in trying to keep us safe as a population, and also to recognize the efforts they put in the organization of the vaccination clinic. We are very lucky as a region to have been vaccinated in a timely manner. Once again, thank you." - Wanda Beaudoin, Mayor of the Municipality of Blanc-Sablon

Reminder, if you develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19, consult the COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool and follow the instructions. You can also call Public Health at 1-877-644-4545 for more information.


Abbygail Wellman
CFBS Journalist