Debates of March 13, 2020 (day 19)

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Question 209-19(2): COVID-19 and Plans for Safety of Seniors

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have many seniors in my riding of Yellowknife Centre, so I would like to ask the Minister of Health what kind of precautions the department has advised for organizations, including the Department of Health, who provide long-term care for seniors. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we speak, our Chief Public Health Officer is currently meeting with the seniors and reaching out here in Northwest Territories to Avens and other places to have a discussion on the importance of ensuring the visitors and the people who are coming in and how important, you know, to sanitize, and it is just really important. I mean, you look at this virus, and it is our seniors who are most vulnerable, so we are taking precautions and we are reaching out to our seniors, as it is very important. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you to the Minister for that. Is it the case, then, that there could be special precautions put in place to protect the people who are most at risk from this disease?

You know, we need to ensure that there is limited access. I mean that is so important when we have people wanting to come and visit our elders who are in their facilities and, you know, it is our nature, it is our people who want to go and visit their elders, make sure they are okay. Our department is just reaching out to ensure that these places have limited access. I mean, although we do want to ensure that there is family who are able to come and continue meeting with their seniors, we just want to ensure the limited access piece.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.