To reduce the alarming spread of COVID-19, the Province of Ontario issued a declaration of emergency and a province-wide Stay-At-Home order. The provincial Stay-at-Home order is in place until at least May 19, 2021. The Council has similarly moved to extend the State of Emergency in Neyaashiinigmiing until May 31, 2021 and declared that we will move to the Grey Zone COVID-19 safety limitations in Neyaashiinigmiing during this period. While Band Offices and Programs remain open, residents are asked to please call ahead when visiting any Program or Administration office, and diligently follow all pandemic protocols.

At this time, access to the community remains restricted to members and their immediate families, and necessary services. Non-member extended family members (in-laws, cousins, etc.) should not visit at this time. We ask that non-resident members limit visits to Neyaashiinigmiing to essential trips only. To avoid disappointment when trying to enter the community, all members are asked to please review the Visitor Rules before planning any non-residents visits to Neyaashiinigmiing.

The monitoring station on the Coveneys Road entrance to Neyaashiinigmiing is an important part of our system of COVID-19 protections. The monitors have the challenging task of ensuring that our safety restrictions are respected by all those attempting to enter the community. The monitors follow the directions of the Council, which are guided by the advice of our Community Emergency Response Group. The monitors do not have discretion regarding who is authorized to enter the community. We ask that every person crossing the boundary be respectful of our monitors and their important role in keeping the community safe.

The Monitoring Station, controlling traffic into Neyaashiinigmiing through the Coveney’s Road entrance, will reopen on Thursday, March 4, 2021, at 6:00 AM.

The monitoring station is a key part of our strategy to keep our home community COVID-19 free until community members have been safely vaccinated. Vehicles entering the community must give the monitors their reason for entering. Entrance is permitted for:

• Residents and members
• Essential employees
• Emergency Response personnel
• Essential inspection, maintenance and repair persons
• Canada Post employees and other carriers
• Hydro One, Bell Canada and GB Tel service people
• Fuel suppliers
• Anyone with written permission of Council

We are concerned that some drivers are not stopping at the monitoring station when entering Neyaashiinigmiing, and instead speeding by the monitors or merely slowing down to wave. This is terribly dangerous for the monitors, who work alongside the road performing an essential service for the community. The stop sign in front of the Monitoring Station is a legal stop under the Highway Traffic Act. Note that failure to stop is a traffic offense that could result in significant fines, or points being removed from the driver’s license. Residents are reminded that ALL vehicles entering the community are required to come to a full stop at the stop sign before proceeding.