An early and important step taken by the Council to protect the health and safety of Neyaashiinigmiing was to restrict access to the community to members, employees and essential services. Since March of this year, the Sydney Bay Road entrance has been closed and all traffic must enter by the remaining entrance on Port Elgin Road, which has been monitored around the clock by dedicated employees.

The initial restrictions were relaxed in phases to allow non-resident members to visit Neyaashiinigmiing, as well as seasonal campers in Cape Croker Park, and registered lease holders. In all cases, non-residents are required to register with the Health Centre prior to their visit, and leave their contact information for tracing in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak. The Council is disappointed that some residents are risking the health of the community by not cooperating with these very simple protocols and registering their non-resident guests. The health and safety guidelines are designed to keep our entire, particularly vulnerable, community safe, but in order for them to work we all need to follow the health guidelines.

To help reduce the number of unregistered individuals in the community, the Council has passed Motion 404 giving the monitors at the Port Elgin Road station the temporary authority to refuse entry to Neyaashiinigmiing anyone who does not present an official letter of entry. Monitors will turn away any person who has not been registered. Please enjoy an uninterrupted visit from your guest – and help us keep our community safe – by registering your guests with the Health Centre.

Visitors must submit a request to the Health Centre, providing the following information, at least two days prior to their arrival. Note that currently non-resident, non-members are not permitted to visit the community without special permission from the Council.

• the full name, permanent address and phone number of each person in your visiting group
• the make, model and vehicle plate number of each vehicle a visitor or group who wishes to enter the reserve will be using
• where the visitor will be staying while in Neyaashiinigmiing
• the intended duration of the visitor’s stay

Contact Suzy Jones, Community Health Representative with your information.

Email: healthrep@gbtel.ca

Office Phone: 519-534-0373 ext 224

Cell phone (text or call): 519-375-6896