The Yukon government has extended the state of emergency so that COVID-19 rules will be enforceable for another 90 days, until Sept. 10.

It had originally been set to expire June 25.

“Extending this state of emergency does not change our Path Forward plan and does not signal an increased risk to Yukoners,” Premier Sandy Silver said Friday afternoon.

“It means Yukon has the tools to manage the situation.”

Silver announced the extension as well as plans to further lift COVID-19 restrictions alongside Dr. Brendan Hanley, the chief medical officer.

Silver said the state of emergency was extended so the territory is able to act quickly should the status of the pandemic change.

The state of emergency can be revoked at any time, Silver said.

“The need to self-isolate upon the return to the Yukon is an order, and continues to be enforced,” Silver said.

The premier said an individual was recently fined for violating self-isolation orders. This is the second time a person has been fined under the state of emergency rules.

“We are definitely not out of the woods yet,” Silver said.

The premier noted that neighbouring jurisdictions, like Alberta and Alaska, are continuing to see cases of the virus.

“We are making huge progress, but we need to continue to try and be diligent.”

The Yukon will see several areas reopen in the next week as phase one of the territory’s reopening plan continues.

Visits for long-term care residents are now permitted. One visitor can schedule an outdoor visit at a time. 

This is the first stage of a four-phase reopening plan at care homes. Stage two will allow two outdoor visitors at the same time. 

The Yukon’s five long-term care homes have been closed to visitors and volunteers since March 16.

Bars can begin reopening at 50 per cent capacity this Friday, after their operational plan has been approved by the government.

Groups of 10 or more are not allowed to sit together at bars once they are open.

Live music and recreation areas such as dart boards, pool tables, dance floors and video games are not allowed in bars during this phase.

Libraries are also beginning a phased reopening. The Whitehorse Public Library began offering curb-side book pick-up today.

The government is continuing with plans to reopen the border to B.C. on July 1.

Hanley said he is hearing from Yukoners who are concerned that the open border will lead to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Hanley said the civil rights and economic costs of keeping the borders closed are too high to pay.

At B.C.’s current point in the pandemic, the chance of a random case of COVID-19 coming to the Yukon from B.C. is about one in 5,000, Hanley said.

There will likely be some case importation, which is why it’s important that Yukoners continue to observe physical distancing and frequent hand-washing.

“Even if the risk of COVID spread is very small, perhaps negligible … there is always risk,” Hanley said.

The closed border is a temporary measure that isn’t sustainable long term, in response to recent questions of the measure’s legality.

On May 27, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association sent a letter to the Yukon’s Justice minister expressing concern that the Yukon’s closed border violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Last week, the N.W.T. opened its borders to Canadians to avoid conflicting with the Charter.

Silver said his government doesn’t share the N.W.T.’s concerns.

“We believe that our border control measures are reasonable, and they don’t go against the Charter, and they are in place to keep Yukoners safe,” Silver said.

Last week, the Yukon Party publicly requested that the Yukon government release any legal advice it obtained indicating that the closed border is legal under the Charter.

Yukon Party MLA Brad Cathers, told the Star this morning the closed border and public health emergency extension should have been subject to debate in the legislative assembly.

“In these times we’re in, we recognize that there do need to be public health restrictions, but it’s almost important those are subject to informed public debate,” Cathers said.

“Responsible governments need to ensure the actions they take are legal, and not in violation of the Charter.” (See related story below.)

Cathers said Yukon Party members don’t necessarily disagree with the decision to extend the public health emergency, but are anxious for the opportunity to debate the issue.

“There’s absolutely no public health reason why the legislative assembly can’t be meeting,” Cathers said.

“It’s simply reluctance to answer tough questions.”