Regional emergency operations centre (EOC) is appealing for kindness and calm in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak in Tla’amin Nation.
According to a media release from the EOC, on September 7, Tla’amin Nation was made aware of a confirmed COVID-19 case. In response, Tla’amin activated a local emergency operations centre and began working with provincial health authorities and First Nations Health Authority to contain the spread of the virus, the release stated.
Tla’amin is taking strict and aggressive action to care for its community and the entire region, according to the release. The nation voluntarily issued a shelter in place order for its residents and the nation has restricted access to the community through a single roadway with checkpoints.
The release states the nation is currently conducting vigorous contact tracing and those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are self-isolating. These additional containment measures were put in place very quickly and will stay in place as long as necessary to protect the community and region.
According to the release, Tla’amin members and other indigenous people in the qathet Regional District area are reporting being subjected to racially motivated harassment at work, while running errands, or while out in the region’s communities. This is causing additional stress, anxiety and fear, the release stated.
Now is not a time to be divided and racially motivated bias and harassment have no place in our region, the release stated.
EOC asks that everyone support Tla’amin at this difficult time.
“We must treat each other with decency and respect. Please follow the words of Dr. Bonnie Henry, ‘be kind, be calm, be safe,” the release stated.
For more information regarding COVID-19 in Tla’amin, go to tlaaminnation.com.
