The Labrador Friendship Centre’s operations are back to normal in Goose Bay this week.

Jennefer Hefler-Elson is the manager.

She says they were taking less clients for awhile due COVID-19.

Now they are taking clients back again.

She says there are still protocols to follow from the health guidelines.

Hefler-Elson says some staff still work at home, but their programs have restarted.

Click here to hear us speak with Hefler-Elson.

K-12 students, teachers and staff will return to in-person classes on Tuesday, January 25. There will be no classes on Monday, January 24 as educators return to their schools to prepare for the transition back to in-class instruction.

With the move back to in-person learning on January 25, rapid self-tests should be used on Saturday, January 22 and on Tuesday, January 25 before heading into school. Guidance on how to use these tests and review results can be found at gov.nl.ca.

Information about the distribution of rapid tests for regulated child care services, including for children attending these services, will be available tomorrow.

The Department of Education has been working with the school districts, Memorial University’s Dean of Education, the NLTA, NAPE and CUPE on contingencies in the event of educator or staff shortages due to isolation. The department wishes to thank them for their support and commitment to keeping schools operational during this period.

Students, teachers and school staff in Newfoundland and Labrador will return to the classroom next week.

Premier Andrew Furey announced Thursday afternoon the province will return to in-class instruction on Tuesday, saying it’s the right decision for students.

But Furey also said the plan is fluid and will be changed if necessary.

Education officials in Newfoundland and Labrador are expected to announce this afternoon whether students will return to the classroom.

Education Minister Tom Osborne, Newfoundland and Labrador English School District CEO Tony Stack, Health Minister John Haggie and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald are scheduled to be on hand for a briefing at 2 p.m.

The briefing will be carried on the CBC N.L. website and CBC Radio One, and will be streamed on the provincial government’s social media channels.

Today’s announcement was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but was delayed due to continued planning efforts and the evolving COVID-19 situation in the province.

The provincial government’s plan for returning to in-class instruction includes providing all students and school staff five rapid COVID-19 tests. Students and staff must take two tests 72 hours apart: one three days before classroom instruction resumes and a second on the morning of the first day back in schools.

Students can return to class if both tests are negative. Schools began distributing tests yesterday, Wednesday.

Health officials are also scheduled to provide an update on the province’s broader COVID-19 situation at today’s briefing.

Today, Thursday, January 20, Newfoundland and Labrador has 360 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the last update on January 19. 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, 16 in non-critical care and four in critical care.

There have been 764 new recoveries – 610 in the Eastern Health region, 32 in the Central Health region, 24 in the Western Health region, 87 in the Labrador-Grenfell region and 11 unknown Regional Health Association, and 11,358 people have recovered.

The breakdown of the 360 cases are as follows:

· Eastern Health region – 212
· Central Health region – 63
· Western Health region – 57
· Labrador-Grenfell Health region – 23
· Unknown Regional Health Association – 5

There are currently 2,801 active cases of COVID-19 in the province; the regional breakdown of the active cases are as follows:

· Eastern Health – 1,990
· Central Health – 288
· Labrador-Grenfell Health – 121
· Western Health – 357
· Unknown Regional Health Association – 45

A total of 1,462 tests were completed since yesterday, and to date, 462,544 tests have been administered.

Memorial University is aiming for all students and faculty to return to campus on January 31st.

At the St. John’s campus, any class with fewer than 100 students enrolled will take place in person, while classes with more than that will continue online.

As previously announced, labs, performing arts programs, and practicums will take place in person where possible.

At the Grenfell Campus, most classes will proceed in person. All Marine Institute students should also plan to return to campus on January 31st.

Students taking classes with both in-person and remote delivery will have access to space on all campuses to participate in their remote classes.

The school says the decision was made with consultation with Public Health and assure students that the decision has been made with their safety in mind.

The school says if the COVID-19 situation changes in the province, MUN may be required to change its approach.

The Nunatsiavut Government wishes to provide the following COVID-19 Update:

As of yesterday, January 19th, there have been 26 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the community of Nain

There are three active cases in the community; there are no presumptive cases and 23 of the cases have recovered.

Newfoundland and Labrador remain in COVID-19 Alert Level 4 in an effort to decrease transmission of the virus.

Please note that the second vaccine dose for children between five to 11 years of age will begin in all Labrador Inuit communities in early February. The vaccine is still available for:

– Those 12 years of age and over for first, and second dose; and
– Those 18 years of age and older for the first, second and booster shots.

Please contact your community Public Health to make an appointment to receive the vaccine.

Nain DHSD is holding a contest for Bell Let’s Talk Day until January 26th, 2022 for mental wellness.

Elsie Russell is the Mental Health and Addictions worker.

She says anyone who would like to participate are asked to write 3 things that you find uplifting.

Every entry with #belletstalknain is an entry to win one of the 3 prizes:

1. 75-inch pelican sled
2. Gas certificate of $100
3. Gas certificate of $50

Bell Let’s Talk Day this year is Supporting Ourselves and Each Other.

Russell adds that this is open to all ages, and entries can be posted in the comments on the Nain DHSD Nunatsiavut Facebook page.

Click here to find out more.

Please note that promo items can also be found at Frank’s and the Post Office that includes a poster, hat, self-care activity, wrist band, banners, and a keychain.

On Nov 2, A test determined False Positive COVID-19 Case in Voisey’s Bay Minesite, it turned out to be negative on the second test.
Nov 3, the Community Enhancement Programs were underway in Nain and Makkovik for people who needed more hours to qualify for their EI.
The Daycares in Rigolet, Makkovik and Hopedale re opened August 29, but had to make some changes in their programs due COVID-19, the Nain daycare Pigutsavik opened its doors on Oct 13, after the staff finished their Early Childhood Education Certificate courses on Oct 9, the staff also had to make changes in the programs.
Nov 4, an earthquake happened in Makkovik in the early hours, the residents were awakened by a loud sound, which shook the land and homes. Stephen Halchuck the Seismologist for Canadian hazards Information Services reported not one but two earthquakes were reported within 20 km.
Nov 5, people were reminded to keep safety top of theyre mind for annual Guy Fawks Night and check with local fire departments and municipalities due to the pandemic and restricted gatherings.
Nov 6, the annual moose hunt was another success at Gross Morne for NG, with 30 licenses bagged.
Also the province was planning to make a decision on travels during Christmas. A virtual Cross Country Running took place from the schools in Nain, Natuashish, Hopedale, Makkovik, Rigolet, North West River and Goose Bay.
Nov 1 The world awaits a reliable vaccine for the novel Corona Virus, Also Founder of Newfoundcare a company dive deeper into the issue of bullying anf how rampart the problem is in the province. NG looks forward to a new relationship with Government of NL following a meeting in Nain with Premier, Andrew Furey. And the Atlantic Canada Airports Association called region premiers to implement arrival testing protocols for domestic passengers to help ease quarantine times for everyone moving through the region by air.
And Remembrance Day Assembly Ceremonies were cancelled for all NL Schools but each class held their own one virtually.
Nov 12, Huge donations from the Single Parents Association arrived to nain, Hopedale, Makkovik and Rigolet from St. John’s. The 36th annual RCMP Volleyball Tournament will go ahead but it will only the residents due COVID-19 on Nov 19 at 4pm.
Nov 13, Government of Canada invests new building freight storages for the North Coast Communities.

Nov 16, The province announced travel will not be expanded for Christmas while families await to hear word on travels. The Driver Examiner arrive to arrive Nain on Nov 18 to offer more written and road tests plus Photo ID’s for the residents.
Nov 17, Programs at the Aboriginal Freindship Centre, First Light in St. John’s going well after closed down due COVID -19. The Makkovik Moravian Church Ladies Sewing Circle Christmas sale will not go ahead, so all handcrafts were donated to Carol Gear’s on line Auction for Nov 18-25th.
Nov 19, Daffodil Place, the home away from home for cancer patients held a Radiothon to raise funds to operate. The prices of fuel was frozen on the north coast of Labrador, Nunatsiavut today.

Nov 26, TRHA continues construction on new homes and repairs and awaiting cupboards to arrive on the Kamutik W. Two more earthquakes was reported6km Northeast of Makkovik, the first was a magnitude of 3.7 before 4am, and 3.5 magnitude few minutes later 4km away.
Nov 27, Big changes was announced for the annual Moravian Churches Candle Light Services and Watchnight services to be done virtually due to the pandemic.
The MV Kamutik W left Goose Bay Monday, November 30 for ports to Nain, she arrived Nain Thursday, December 3 on its final trip.

Today Wednesday, January 19, Newfoundland and Labrador has 511 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the last update on January 18. Anyone who has tested positive must follow guidelines.

There are 18 people in hospital because of COVID-19, 14 in non-critical care and four in critical care.

There have been 471 new recoveries – 397 in the Eastern Health region, 20 in the Central Health region, 25 in the Western Health region, 26 in the Labrador-Grenfell region and three unknown RHA, and 10,594 people have recovered.

The breakdown of the 511 cases are as follows:

• Eastern Health region – 344
• Central Health region – 68
• Western Health region – 73
• Labrador-Grenfell Health region – 24
• Unknown RHA – 2

There are currently 3,205 active cases of COVID-19 in the province; the regional breakdown of the active cases are as follows:

• Eastern Health – 2,376
• Central Health – 258
• Labrador-Grenfell Health – 189
• Western Health – 324
• Unknown RHA – 58

A total of 2,449 tests were completed since yesterday; to date, 461,082 tests have been administered.

Nain DHSD is holding a contest for Bell Let’s Talk Day which starts today Wednesday, January 19, 2022.

Anyone who would like to participate are asked to write 3 things that they are thankful for.

Every entry with #belletstalknain is an entry to win one of the 3 prizes:

1. 75-inch pelican sled
2. Gas certificate of $100
3. Gas certificate of $50

Bell Let’s Talk Day this year is Supporting ourselves and each other.

Entries can be posted in the comments on the Nain DHSD Nunatsiavut Facebook page.