Cowichan Tribes has lifted its shelter-in-place order more than two months after it was enacted on Jan. 6 due to a rise in COVID-19 cases.
Under the order, Cowichan Tribes members were expected to stay at home except to attend work, school or medical appointments, to obtain essential items such as groceries and medicine, or care for ill family members. Access to residential areas of the community was restricted and checkpoints were set up.
A statement posted on the Tribes’ website says the checkpoints will remain in place to limit movement between households and throughout the community.
“With the shelter-in-place order lifted, it’s important we remain close to home to minimize the spread of COVID-19,” the statement says.
People are now allowed to have outdoor visits with up to 10 people including members of your household.
“We’re asking that you still stick with your core 10 people in order to keep our community safe,” Marnie Elliott, associate health director, states in a video posted to the Tribes’ Facebook page.
People can also eat in restaurants with members of their household and visit a hair salon or barber.
“But we are still encouraging that there are no indoor gatherings happening,” Elliott said. “Kids can get together to play outside and have that connection again. But please, no sleepovers.
“And we are still encouraging that there’s no travel, so stay within our community.”
As of Thursday, Cowichan Tribes was reporting 268 cases since Dec. 31 in 103 households. There were three cases and 25 contacts in isolation as well as one person in hospital.
