Thank you, Mr. Speaker. COVID-19, 145 cases in Canada to date. I need to know if the Emergency Measures Act that was updated by the last Assembly to the GNWT overhauled its emergency plan, besides the planning that is underway right now to give the residents of the Northwest Territories, especially the small communities that we represent, direction on how the government is handling this outbreak. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Deputy Premier.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Deputy Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared, as we are aware, a pandemic by the World Health Organization, and requires enhanced public health and emergency preparedness. The Member is asking: what is the government doing to prepare? The GNWT has a territorial planning committee which is leading a broader, all-of-government approach emergency response planning to address potential disruptions and essential community, regional, and territorial services and support.
The Health and Social Services emergency operations centre has been fully activated to permit the Health and Social Services system to coordinate rapid planning in advance of a Northwest Territories outbreak. The chief medical public health officer is leading the public health preparations and surveillance and providing subject matter expertise to the Health and Social Services system and the GNWT on pandemic planning requirements. The NWT COVID-19 pandemic planning guide and checklist is guiding the Health and Social Services system preparations. The Health and Social Services authorities are planning for a surge in cases that may affect regular delivery of health services. Decisions around deferring the delivery of non-essential health services may be made as necessary. Staff have received fresher training on infectious disease protocols. The Northwest Territories receives routine updates from the Canadian public health office officials on suspected and confirmed cases reported in other parts of Canada and the world. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
What are the plans to assist small communities for the pandemic?
The Departments of Health and Social Services and Municipal and Community Affairs are providing information, guidance, and support to community and Indigenous governments. The department will continue to share information necessary for their planning efforts. The local and regional authorities, governments, agencies, and businesses should be finalizing emergency readiness plans in light of the potential for a COVID-19 outbreak. An outbreak in the Northwest Territories could impact community services and may increase the need for basic supplies, as well as water delivery, sewage pump-out, and facilities to the homes. Organizers of these events and gatherings should assess their plans, recognizing that this is an evolving situation that may require rapid decisions to protect the health and well-being of our residents here in the Northwest Territories. We know that community members will band together and support each other in the event that COVID-19 reaches their community.
Is MACA doing outreach to the municipal and community governments in our 33 communities across the territory in regard to what is happening with COVID-19, and when are they able to start their emergency action plans?
Yes, the departments are working together, and there was a meeting yesterday, my colleagues here have just informed me. Plans are underway, and our departments and the Northwest Territories, we take this seriously. We are all working together as a department to ensure that messaging and information to our communities is done, and it's immediate.
Thank you, Deputy Premier. Final supplementary, Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Deputy Premier: does the GNWT have plans to stop highway travel, or are we checking the drivers? Are we stopping any aircraft in regard to being checked in Edmonton or here in Yellowknife for pre-screening before they head North for the safety of our citizens? If this COVID-19 hits our communities, nursing stations are not going to be able to give aspirin and Tylenol and send them home. This has to be dealt with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am sincere with the Member's concerns. I am from a small community, as well, and in preparation for our week coming up, we will be going home. This is fairly new, and we have been planning and planning. There are measures being taken within our departments to ensure that we have safeguards in all of our communities, all 33 communities in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Thank you, Deputy Premier. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.
