The Yukon’s COVID-19 outbreak continues to worsen, with the announcement of another fatality.

Late Friday afternoon, Dr. André Corriveau, who the territorial government identified as the Yukon’s acting chief medical officer of health, reported another death of a Yukon citizen from COVID-19.

This brings the total to 11 since the first death was reported in November 2020.

“My sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of this individual. Out of respect, we will not be releasing any additional information,” said Corriveau, who at one time was the chief medical officer of the Northwest Territories.

There are currently 156 active cases of COVID-19 in the territory, with 41 cases confirmed since noon last Wednesday through Friday. Case numbers from the weekend were not available from the government early this afternoon.

One of the 41 latest cases reported is a resident of Mayo, one is a resident of Pelly Crossing, seven live in Watson Lake, and 32 are residents of Whitehorse.

These numbers are based on the residence of the person and may not accurately reflect their current physical location.

There have been 1,176 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in the Yukon since March 2020; 998 of these cases have recovered. 

On Saturday, the government enacted a new state of emergency to allow for new temporary measures to “rapidly decrease the transmission of COVID-19 and ensure the territory’s health care capacity is not overwhelmed.”

Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn has authorized new ministerial orders under the Civil Emergency Measures Act that came into effect Saturday.

Under the masks order, mask use is required by all persons five years of age or older in all public places.

• Mandatory masking is required in all indoor public settings and in outdoor public settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Mask use is required in vehicles when there are occupants from more than one household.

• Masks are required at all times inside schools, including when students are in classrooms and seated at their desks as well as all indoor school settings outside the classroom, such as common areas and hallways.

• Participants in high-intensity physical activities which cannot reasonably be done while wearing a mask are exempt from the mandatory masking requirement.

For example, for curling or low-intensity exercise classes, masks need to be worn but not for hockey, soccer or basketball. Masks do need to be worn when not actively engaged in playing the sport.

• Limits on personal gatherings to 10 people from a maximum of two households if all eligible people are vaccinated; household members only if any eligible people are unvaccinated.

• Limits on organized gatherings, including conferences and weddings: indoor gatherings limited to 25 individuals with proof of vaccination required; outdoor gatherings limited to 50 individuals.

• Limits on seated ticketed events, including arts and sporting events: maximum 50 per cent of venue capacity or 25 individuals, whichever is lower, with proof of vaccination required; seating limited to individual households with physical distancing between households.

• Limits on faith-based and cultural gatherings: maximum 50 per cent of venue capacity or 25 individuals, whichever is lower, with proof of vaccination required; seating limited to individual households with physical distancing between households.

• Restrictions on restaurants, bars and nightclubs: proof of vaccination required for table service with a limit of six individuals per table; no counter service, no moving between tables and no dancing.

• Restrictions on gyms, fitness and yoga studios and classes: maximum 50 per cent of venue capacity or 25 individuals, whichever is lower, with proof of vaccination required.

• Restrictions on personal services: proof of vaccination required.

• Limits on other indoor public spaces: maximum 50 per cent of venue capacity or 25 individuals, whichever is lower.

• Individual workplaces may be required to temporarily close under Corriveau’s direction.

The new measures will be in place until at least Dec. 3. Corriveau’s office will continue to actively assess the risk levels in the territory associated with COVID-19 transmission and adjust recommendations as necessary.

Corriveau is recommending that travel among communities, and between communities and Whitehorse, be avoided until further notice.

Some local businesses are reporting the new measures aren’t sitting well with a certain percentage of customers.

The Burnt Toast Café on Second Avenue was one reporting some problems on its social media accounts.

“So after sharing with all of you the struggles businesses are facing we received a message stating that this person would not support us if we followed the ‘draconian measures’ set out by government.

“Why would someone go to the trouble of giving a business a hard time like this? It is sad that these protocols are dividing citizens this way but at Burnt Toast we are committed to keeping our staff and customers as safe as possible. We will be implementing the measures set out starting today.

“Just so people are clear, if you’re planning on coming onto my business page to call us discriminatory for refusing to allow unvaccinated people I will not engage with you; I will simply delete your comments and block you so don’t waste your time.”

The G&P on Main restaurant was another business making some firm comments on social media about not accepting bullying and harassment from customers.

“For anyone who berates/ harasses businesses for following MANDATED protocols…. Well, we don’t need any of that nonsense. We’ve have enough to deal with throughout this pandemic. Massive staff shortages, being mandated to shut dining rooms, having food prices sky rocket, and most importantly worrying constantly that our staff and customers are safe! The list goes on.

“So if you are causing a ruckus, please kindly carry on elsewhere and all the best to you and yours. We need to survive this!

“Also for any of the naysayers, please remember: no business owner wants any of this. Such as checking passports, etc. That’s a full-time job in itself that’s costly and didn’t exist before.

“Not to mention businesses in B.C. are getting fined 100s of dollars a day for not following mandated protocols,” G&P added.

“Their business licences are being stripped from them and getting injunctions through the courts! This is real, people. Do your homework!

“Lastly, PLEASE, by all means, if you can do better, open your own restaurant, invent your own rules. See how that plays out. Like, come on.

“I’m sorry, folks, but we keep hearing these stories of such bullying and it’s beyond unacceptable and disheartening . Please be kind, we are all doing our very best to keep afloat!”