Canada Revenue Agency extended the deadline to file Income Taxes to June 1st while the deadline to pay any amounts owed was extended to September 1, 2020.

June 3, the province was moving to Alert Level 3 on Monday, June 8.

NG announced that they requested people to not travel to the Labrador Inuit Communities.

Also NG advised it will relax its position on non-essential travel to the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area from anywhere in the province. And the OKâlaKatiget Society became full staff and back to regular hours.

A mysterious oil spill occurred in Postville area on June 9.

Janeway Children’s Hospital postponed its 2020 Telethon on June 10.

Also, Regional Health Authorities lifted visitor restrictions in hospitals.

Labrador Marine Inc. announced to start their operations to the North Coast on June 14.

TRHA slowly started home repair programs on June 19.

The province moved to Alert Level 2 on June 25.

And Torngat Mountains National Park remained closed to visitors this summer.

NL Moravian Churches resumes Services on Sunday, June 28 with a limit of 50 people.

On June 29, a new Mental Health Unit was constructed in Happy Valley- Goose Bay and began this summer.

On May 1, OKâlaKatiget Radio held an Open Line Show with special guests in regards to COVID-19 who were Gerald Asivak, NG’s Minister of Health and Social Development, Director of Health Sylvia Doody, Mental Wellness and Health, Kayla deBoer, Dr. Thomas Piggott Regional Medical Officer, and Dr. Gabe Woollam Vice President of Health, and Translator Sophie Tuglavina.

Torngat Fish Producers Cooperative started monitoring how or what the process will be of COVID-19 on May 4th.

Also after the first weekend of “double bubbles” in NL, allowed two households to come together, Health Minister had concerns on the issue.

On May 6, 90 Health Science Centre staff came in contact with a COVID-19 patient all tested negative from the virus.

On May 8, the province reported to move Alert Level 5 to Alert Level 4 on Monday. Also Canadians who applied for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) who didn’t qualify were notified that they could face consequences.

On May 12, Bell Aliant started upgrading Phones and internets on the coast. The provincial government was easing some restrictions as the province entered Alert Level 4. New group in Goose Bay called “clothmasks4labrador” sewing group provide free materials to the north coast communities to make face masks.

On May 14, NG received numerous reports of abuse of support programs in selling fuel, and goods to purchase alcohol and drugs, and learned that individuals were giving false income levels when applying for assistance and said such activity were not tolerated and further assistance were denied.

Students and recent Graduates began applying for Canada Emergency Student Benefit on May 15. Announcement that all NL Schools will remain closed for rest of the school year. Also the Federal Government banned pleasure boats to travel to Labrador and Quebec.

May 16 was to be the JHMS 2020 Prom/Grad day where they were not permitted to gather, but by social distancing, the teachers visited each of the grads by their homes on that Saturday.

May 19, 11 Polar Bears were already harvested, the season opened February 2.

May 20, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald announced that we must learn to live with COVID-19 to reduce the spread of the virus.

The JC Erhardt Memorial School in Makkovik Prom/Grad was set for May 23, but they too had to make other arrangements and got the community to decorate their windows for children to go around town to see them.

May 25, VALE NL removed the pontoon safe crossings near Tâtok and Tabor Island due ice conditions.

May 27, NL schools re-opened for teachers.

On May 28, the Hebron programs were cancelled for the summer.

Public Health staff form the Nunatsiavut Department of Health and Social Development as well as Labrador Grenfell Regional health authority are scheduled to be in Rigolet on Tuesday, January 12 to administer the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible residents, 18 years of age and older.

Public health staff will arrange times for eligible individuals to receive the vaccine, which will be administered at the town hall.

Priority for the first doses will be given to health-care workers and seniors before the rest of the population is inoculated, as per federal and provincial directives.

The Nunatsiavut Government continues to work with all relevant authorities to ensure the vaccine is administered as quickly as possible in a safe and efficient manner.

For more information, please contact: Marilyn Baikie, Public Health Nurse at 709-947-3321.

Elder Willie Ford of Makkovik is the first resident of Nunatsiavut to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

It was administered this morning at 9:18 am by Nurse Betty Sampson.

Ordinary Member for Makkovik, John Andersen and AngajukKâk of the Inuit Community Government, Barry Andersen were there to witness the first vaccine shot.

The COVID-19 Moderna vaccine is making its way to the North Coast of Nunatsiavut.

Megan Hudson is the Public Health Nurse for the Nain Department of Health and Social Development.

She says the vaccines will be available for ages 18 and up at the Jeremias Sillitt Community Centre on Friday and Saturday.

There will be rides available for everyone who would like to get picked up, you can call the Nain clinic at 922-2962.

Stay tuned to AtjiKangitut today when Hudson tells you more on the vaccine.

Today, Friday, January 8, Newfoundland and Labrador has no new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The province has nine active cases.

There have been no new recoveries since yesterday.

376 people have recovered from the virus, one person is in hospital due to the virus and to date, 74,267 people have been tested.

Public Health is reminding people to strictly adhere to the orders of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

People must remain vigilant and follow all Public Health measures to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from the spread of COVID-19.

Newfoundland and Labrador is getting more COVID-19 vaccines than it had expected.

Premier Andrew Furey tweeted out the information this morning following last night’s First Ministers and Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau meeting.

Vaccines are currently being administered in the Central Health and Western Health with vaccinations to begin on Monday in Labrador.

Premier Furey did not provide greater detail on the number of vaccines.

Courtesy VOCM News.

Here is the year end review for April 2020:

On April 1st, the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan included $305 million for a distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund, which includes $45 million to address immediate needs for products and services in Inuit communities.

Also on April 1st, THRA forgave the monthly house payments, and the monthly duplex rental payments to help ease the financial strain on the families within Nunatsiavut Region.

April 2nd, the College of Nurses was reaching out to retired nurses to help fill some of the need in the health care system.

On April 3rd, due to COVID-19, the Moravian Churches in Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik and Goose Bay were closed for Easter. The OK Radio met with the Nain Moravian Church to decided to air the Palm Sunday Sermon at 10 am.

On April 6th, all public high school and intermediate exams for the English and francophone school districts in Newfoundland and Labrador were cancelled for the year.

Also on April 6th, the Nunatsiavut Government provided a total of $54,500 to assist food banks and community freezers to address ongoing need during the pandemic.

On April 8, Canada Post resumed operations after having five of their employees tested positive of COVID-19 from Caul’s Funeral Home.

On behalf of the Nunatsiavut Government and Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, President Johannes Lampe extended his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of respected Hopedale Inuk elder Andrew Piercy, who passed away on April 16.

On April 17, President Todd Russell expressed deep sadness on behalf of himself, his family, the Governing Council and the people of NunatuKavut on the passing of James G Learning.

Also on April 17th, the Nunatsiavut Government began purchasing wood as part of its COVID-19 Emergency Heat Subsidy.

On April 20, the Nunatsiavut Government announced that assistance will be provided to ensure Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement residing in the Constituency of Upper Lake Melville have sufficient nutritious food to support health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On April 21st, the Voisey’s Bay mine only allowed 200 workers on site who are considered essential workers as operations were ramped down in March to protect workers. The mine went down from 900 workers last month to only about 200.

Also on April 21st, search and rescue efforts were successful in finding a missing 61 year-old man in the Okak Bay area of Northern Labrador.

On April 22nd, public funerals, visitations and wakes were prohibited, and burials are restricted to no more than five people (including the officiant).

Also on April 22nd, families were entitled to receive the Canada Child Benefit for April 2020 and still have an eligible child in their care in May 2020 with a $300 extra per child as part of their regular May 2020 payment.

On April 23rd, the Trans-Labrador Highway had put up checkpoints to restrict the movement of people to essential travel only.

Year End Review for March 2020:

On March 3, news on the 2020 Cain’s Quest Snowmobile Endurance Race in Labrador City starts on Saturday, March 7th, with 50 racers participating around Labrador.

Also the 27th Annual Makkovik Jamboree was a two night event on March 13 and 14th.

The Bear Guard Training was set for March 13-16th starting in Nain and travel to Goose Bay and Postville later.

Pan Labrador Choir was held in Hopedale on February 27 with students from Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik and Rigolet.

The Youth Symposium was set for March 15-20th in Nain.

The Young Women’s Traditional Day was on Thursday, March 6.

On March 10, Newfoundland and Labrador English School District cancelled all travels to Europe due concerns associated with COVID-19 outbreak.

The 4th Annual Gracie Flowers-Jararuse Memorial Hockey Tournament began at 7pm on March 11.

On March 11, the first racers from the Cain’s Quest arrived Nain after 5 days travelling. The race concluded on March 13.

White Horse Arctic Winter Games was cancelled for the week of the 15th.

A presentation on Wind Energy took place in Nain at 6:30pm on March 11.

Government of Canada invests $27 million dollars in the Corona Virus Research across Canada.

March 16, Smart ICE hires on 4-7 youths to build smart buoys in Nain.

Also, OKâlaKatiget Society locked its doors to the general public to prevent spread of COVID-19. Also VALE NL cancelled all flights into Voisey’s Bay.

March 18, Nunatsiavut Government offices closed to the General public. And Air Inuit cancel their special flights for Easter. Nunatsiavut Group of Companies made changes to prevent the spread of the pandemic and gave employees permission to work home on March 19.

March 20, Nunatsiavut Government refrain people from travelling between or Labrador Inuit Community, by aircraft, snowmobiles until further notice.

And all kindergarten to grade 9 students in NL passed their grades.

On March 23, all stores on the north coast limited customers and it became mandatory to wear a face mask in stores and businesses on March 24.

On March 30, NG’s First Minister Tyler Edmunds announced Election for the President is postponed from May 5 to October 6.

On March 31, NG announced a number of initiatives aimed at assisting Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement due COVID-19 and provide support to Food Banks and Community Freezers, and cleaning supplies and game packages for children and families, and funds for put aside for mental health, harvesting and home heating.

Public Health staff from the Nunatsiavut Department of Health and Social Development as well as Labrador-Grenfell Regional Health Authority will begin the process of administering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible residents, 18 years of age and older, in each of the five Labrador Inuit communities starting next week.

Below is the planned schedule for administering the vaccine in each community:

• January 11 – Makkovik
• January 12 – Rigolet
• January 13 – Postville and Hopedale
• January 14 – Hopedale
• January 15-16 – Nain

Public Health staff will arrange times for eligible individuals to receive the vaccine.

Priority for the first dose will be given to health-care workers and seniors before the rest of the population is inoculated, as per federal and provincial directives.

The Nunatsiavut Government continues to work with all relevant authorities to ensure the vaccine is administered as quickly as possible in a safe and efficient manner.

For more information, please contact your local Public Health Nurse.

Stay tuned to AtjiKangitut today to hear more from President Lampe on this press release.