(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D'Andrea

Staying Safe

Wahpeton takes preventative COVID-19 measures

Oct 23, 2020 | 2:00 PM

As of Friday, the Wahpeton Dakota Nation does not have any confirmed COVID-19 cases and Chief John Waditaka would like to keep it that way.

Due to surging numbers around the area, and the flu season quickly approaching, the Wahpeton Dakota Nation will take preventative measures to keep COVID-19 out of the community for the next four weeks.

Fences around the village will be put up on Monday at 8 p.m., after the polling station for the provincial election closes. Mandatory temperature checks will be made for those entering Wahpeton, and those who have a high temperature will be redirected to the local health centre to be tested for COVID-19.

“There are no positive cases, and that’s how we want to keep it,” Waditaka said. “These are the precautions we want to take for the next four weeks.”

Waditaka added after those four weeks, Wahpeton will reassess what needs to be done.

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Other measures will be taken as well. Teachers will be required to be present at the Wahpeton Dakota Nation School, but students will stay home and attend their classes virtually. The health centre will also be in operation, but the doors will be locked. All appointments must be made in advance.

Waditaka made sure to note that this is not a lockdown. A lot of Wahpeton’s residents work in Prince Albert and other locations, while others head into town for dialysis or other doctor’s appointments and many leave the village to go buy essential supplies.

“It’s not going to impede that. They will still have access,” Waditaka said.

Although most people live in the village, there are some residents that live just outside on Township Road. The road will have its own gate to give access to the residents in the area.

The precautionary measures won’t be active until Monday at 8 p.m. to give time for those to vote at the village’s polling station for the provincial election. The polling station will be open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the Wahpeton Gym.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea