Garden River First Nation is restricting access to non-residents after declaring a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two checkpoints - located at the eastern and western boundaries of the First Nation along Highway 17B - are scheduled to begin operation Sunday, April 5 at 12 p.m.
Traffic on Highway 17A will remain unaffected by this closure.
Checkpoint personnel will be screening people coming into the First Nation for COVID-19 symptoms.
The remaining access roads along Highway 17A will be blocked.
Restricted access into the community will be in effect until May 1.
Individuals travelling into Garden River First Nation will be limited to:
- Garden River First Nation residents
- Critical and essential employees of the Garden River organization and its community partners
- Emergency services personnel
- Delivery of essential supplies
- Employees at essential service locations
- Other exigent circumstances
Members of Garden River living off-reserve are asked to avoid visiting or coming home at this time.
Garden River First Nation originally passed a band council resolution declaring a state of emergency in the community March 31.
More information on the state of emergency can be found on the Garden River First Nation Facebook page.
