Business and services are slowly easing off their restrictions along the communities along the coast.

Marjorie Flowers is the AngajukKâk for Hopedale Community Government.

She says that everything is in working order with both the community and the programs that are being held at the Nanuk Center.

Flowers also adds that the ice conditions and trail markers are up to date.

Barry Andersen is the AngajukKâk for the Makkovik ICG.

He says that trail markers we’re put that out from Makkovik right to little neck and towards Postville to the West, and to Burnt Lake.

Andersen says that they have three people hired under the Community Enhancement Program.

Click here to find out more from both AngajukKât Flowers and Andersen.

Today, Wednesday, February 9, Newfoundland and Labrador has 250 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the last update on February 8. Anyone who has tested positive must follow guidelines. Cases are advised to notify contacts as per instructions on the website.

There are 20 people in hospital because of COVID-19, 13 in non-critical care and seven in critical care. There have been 155 new recoveries – 81 in the Eastern Health region, 40 in the Central Health region, 17 in the Western Health region and 17 in the Labrador-Grenfell region, and 17,558 people have recovered.

The breakdown of the 250 cases are as follows:

· Eastern Health region – 159
· Central Health region – 44
· Western Health region – 28
· Labrador-Grenfell Health region – 19

There are currently 1,579 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the active cases are as follows:

· Eastern Health – 1,121
· Central Health – 168
· Labrador-Grenfell Health – 112
· Western Health – 178

A total of 1,136 tests were completed since yesterday, and to date, 490,851 tests have been administered.

Here is the October 2021 year-end review:

October 1, Angnatok starts new amauti project, Makkovik plant busy summer, Fuel prices up, 5th Gracie hockey tournament, NL reported 4 new cases.

October 4, TRHA update, SmartICE program, Nain CARE receive funds, Nain Marine Mammal workshop ongoing, 2022 Calendar photo winners announced.

October 5, Rigolet programs updated, NL reported 5 new cases, new date set for 5th Gracie hocket tournament.

October 6, Fish count updated in Postville, JS Centre programs, Fuel prices up, update coastal community freezers, First Light hires Innu patient navigator, Goose Flock photo contest.

OK OFF FOR FORMER COWORKER MARIS HARRIS’ FUNERAL WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6.

October 8, Re-aired Marias’ first IlinniaKatigennik show, Patient navigator ad out, Woodward’s oil not froze, NG partners with LGH on Medical flights, Final day for SAR Inquiry, NL reported 9 new cases.

OK THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021.

October 12, Postville projects updated, Nain holds Thanksgiving Sale, Fuel prices skyrocketed, NL reported 21 new cases.

October 14, Cruisers new project, Makkovik sports meet, Vaccine passports out, House of Assembly opened.

October 15, moose meat and fish count updated, Twin Flames plan to go Nain, Them Day did fundraising, NL reported 4 new cases.

October 16, Nain projected updated, Mile One turned to Mary Browns, Sealskin training starts in Nain, MusicNL nominations, vaccines now mandatory.

October 18, Hebron restoration announced, vaccine passports are now required, Makkovik Mapping workshop, Nigivik sets dates baking.

October 19, Nain projects updated, Makkovik Halloween events, Nain Halloween events, No IlinniaKatigennik show.

October 20, Rutie Lampe moving to new job, Hopedale, Postville Halloween events, NL reported 9 new cases, Harvey Andrews of First Light staff passed away, Mary town school hit with COVID.

October 21, Torngat Secretariat to search for old nets, NG officials met in St. John’s, Fuel prices down, NL changed VaxPasses, Nain Atsanik Inn needs people to show their VaxPasses.

October 22, Rutie Lampe moving to new job, Twin Flames got to Goose Bay, climate crises announced, Nain, Rigolet Halloween events, Halloween events safety tips, AnânauKatiget Tumingit seek board of directors.

October 25, OK president on OKâlaKatiget 39th anniversary, NL reported a jump in 39 new cases, NG telephone conference, youth center Halloween events, flu shots available.

October 26, NG day 2 sitting, coastal Halloween parades, Janeway diverting patients to Halifax, new vital climate changes, Qatar Energy Ltd entering oil offshore.

October 27, re-aired Rosina Howell on COVID, TaKuaKautik update, two schools hit with COVID in Mary town.

October 28, NG announced NunatuKavut proposal on land claims, fuel prices down, Rigolet school Halloween events, NG helped out in applying for photo id’s, Emergency reported in Nunavut water system, Torngat fishery updated, NL reported 8 new cases, youth center Halloween events, Base camp open for bookings, re-aired Tabea Murphy’s story of first Halloween in Nain.

On behalf of the Nunatsiavut Government and Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, President Johannes Lampe today extended his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Robert Lyall, who passed away February 5 at the age of 89.

Mr. Lyall was born in Hebron in 1932, and later moved to Nain and then Hopedale. A former educator, after receiving training at the age 14, he taught school in Nain in the late 1940s. In 1956 he and new wife Hilda moved from Hopedale to North West River, and later to Happy Valley-Goose Bay where they raised their family.

Mr. Lyall retired in 1996 after more than 30 years as a maintenance worker and supervisor at the Melville Hospital and Paddon Home in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. He was an active member of the Moravian Church, and served on a number of boards and organizations, including Vice President of the former Labrador Inuit Association from 1978-1980.

“Mr. Lyall was very much respected elder, and helped a lot of Labrador Inuit during the early days of the Labrador Inuit Association – particularly those who lived in the Upper Lake Melville area,” notes President Lampe. “He will be remembered for the tremendous contributions he’s made over the years in advancing issues and concerns of Labrador Inuit. He will be sorely missed by those who had the pleasure of knowing him.”

The Nunatsiavut Government wishes to report that there is currently COVID-19 activity in the community of Nain. All cases are isolating, and contact tracing is ongoing. There are no known cases of the virus in any other Labrador Inuit community at this time.

The Nunatsiavut Government has also been informed by Vale of increased COVID-19 activity at Voisey’s Bay. Vale will be issuing more information later today.

Public health officials continue to advise that it is likely that the virus that causes COVID-19 will continue to present itself in all Labrador Inuit communities. Individuals with symptoms, with no known exposure to the virus, should contact 811 or complete the online assessment tool at COVID Assessment and Referral (HOME – NLCHI) to determine if testing is required.

Please note that the second vaccine dose for children between five and 11 years of age are currently being rolled out in all Labrador Inuit communities. The vaccine is a still available for those 12 years of age and over for first and second shots, and to those 18 years of age and over for first, second and booster shots. To make an appointment, please contact your community Public Health office.

Residents of all Labrador Inuit communities are asked to keep following all public health guidance and protocols to help prevent exposure and spread of the virus.

The town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay advises the public it closely monitors information related to COVID-19. As residents know as of 12:01am Monday, February 7, 2022 the entire province is under COVID-19 Modified Alert Level 3.

The town is advising residents and businesses on an appointment basis immediately the town hall remains open Monday to Friday business hours from 8am to 4pm.

The town hall reopened to residents on Monday, January 10, 2022 at 9 am with the following social distancing guidelines in place. These guidelines will remain in effect for the foreseeable future:

• The public will be permitted to pay for residential and business tax bills and permits and fees at the town hall from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
• Only one customer permitted at a time to ensure appropriate physical distancing.
• For all other services call 896-3321 for appointments.
• Barricades have been put in place for a straight path to the bill payment counter and door.
• A plexiglass barrier has been put in place to provide a safe while physical distance for serving residents.
• Enhanced cleaning protocols are in place. Open to public facilities subject to change.

Open to the public facilities:

• Town hall open by appointment only, recommend 896-3321 for more information between 8am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday, except for holidays
• Kinsmen Park open 9am to 9pm, Monday to Sunday
• Lake Melville Dog Park. Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre.

Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre
E.J Broomfield Memorial arena

Closed to the public subject to change:

• Goose bay Curling Club
• Recycling activities at CAF arena Northside MOT.

All essential services available including Water and sewer services Roads Snow clearing, Residential roadside garbage pickup, Municipal Landfill Dump, Fire and Emergency services, Municipal enforcement including animal control.

The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay strongly recommends that residents and businesses utilize a cautious approach and exercise recommended practices to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is active once again in our community. This should be taken seriously, Non-essential travelers are reminded that they are not welcome here in Nain at this time whether they travel by plane or snowmobile due to the highly contagious omicron variant of COVID-19.

Please be respectful of our wishes. You never know who your decisions may affect. We all have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable in our community. Be responsible and do your part.

We have just moved to Alert level 3. Please adhere to the Public Health guidance for this alert level as posted on the gov.nl.ca website.

With everyone doing their part, we can rid our community of COVID-19 once again and get back to doing the things we love with the people we love.

Nakkumek.

Based on the relative stability currently being experienced in the province and the trends in other jurisdictions, the Provincial Government is easing a number of COVID-19 restrictions over the coming days.

The first change will come into effect 12:01 on Saturday, February 12, 2022. At that time, faith-based services can move to 50 per cent capacity where the vaccine passport is in place, and 25 per cent capacity where the vaccine passport is not in place. This includes weddings and funerals in faith-based venues.

Effective 12:01 on Monday, February 14, 2022, additional changes will also come into effect:

– Formal gatherings such as weddings and funerals and any events operated by a business or organization are limited to 50 per cent of venue or room capacity;
– Informal gatherings are limited to 20 people;
– Restaurants and bars can operate at 50 per cent capacity with a maximum table size of 10 people and physical distancing between patrons seated at adjacent tables. Eating or drinking is only permitted while seated. Masks may only be removed when eating or drinking;
– Dance floors are not yet permitted;
– Performance spaces, bingo halls and cinemas can operate at 50 per cent capacity. Food or drink is permitted provided physical distancing can be maintained between bubbles. Patrons can remove their masks only when seated and actively eating or drinking; and
– Gyms, fitness facilities and arenas can operate at 50 per cent capacity, provided that physical distancing may be maintained.

In terms of team sports, a return to competition that falls within an organization, team or group’s regular competitive schedule can resume on Monday, February 14, 2022. For example, if a hockey league has always been regional in scope, regional competition may be permitted; however, only single games are permitted, with teams playing a maximum of one game per day. Tournaments of any kind are not permitted at this time.

The Nain Husky Centre will open its doors this weekend coming.

Activities include skills training for Torngat Minor Hockey players, except men’s hockey players, and rental use of the ice for public and family skating.

The Jeremias Sillitt Community Centre is also open for programs. And parents are asked not to enter the building when they pick up their child.

The Fitness room only one at a time is permitted to call the building of your pass for times.

The gym activities include badminton, no teams’ sports are permitted.

The card games will hold on Mondays at 7pm and the Seniors bingo will be held on Thursdays at 1:30 pm.

The Valentine’s supper will be going ahead your to call the building to book the meals.

The Health Accord NL is working to reimagine health and health care in Newfoundland and Labrador.

We spoke with Elizabeth Davis who is one of the 2 co-chairs of the Health Accord Task Force.

She says she has been involved with the Health Accord task since November of 2020; it is an approach to see what they can do to have a better health for the whole province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Davis adds that that the Premier of the province and Minister of Health were very concerned that our health in this province is not as good as the health with people in other provinces.

Click here to find out more from Elizabeth Davis.