Chief Roy Fox. (Supplied by Blood Tribe)

By David Opinko

Blood Tribe announces strict measures to combat rising COVID cases

Jan 15, 2021 | 11:24 PM

STANDOFF, AB – A series of 11 new public health measures have been announced for the Blood Reserve.

Chief Roy Fox and Director of Emergency Management Rick Soup made a video address Friday in response to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases.

“It is important for us to fully realize that we all have to do our part in controlling the spread of this dangerous virus and we appreciate the fact that most of you have followed those… however, there are still some of us who have failed to follow these important rules that [have] caused the sudden increase in the infection amongst our membership,” says Fox.

There are currently 65 active cases on the Blood Tribe, up from just three on January 4.

In response, Soup announced that the following 11 measures will be in effect immediately and last for at least 30 days:

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

Week-in-review: Street sweeping, policing in Coaldale and #SlowYourRoll

Apr 13, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 12, 2024

Apr 12, 2024

• All restrictions and safety measures will be strictly enforced through the Blood Tribe Department of Health, Director of Emergency Management and team, and Blood Tribe Police
• All members ordered to be in quarantine by the Blood Tribe Department of Health or Alberta Health Services must stay in strict quarantine as directed, or applicable penalties will be applied
• A strict curfew between 8:00 pm to 6:00 am must be abided by
• Travel on the Blood Reserve is restricted to essential reasons only including authorized work, for medical purposes, or to purchase food or fuel. No social gatherings for any purposes, including at private residences, will be allowed
• All scheduled community functions and gatherings shall be cancelled until further notice. Any essential in-person meetings are limited to 10 people. Masking, physical distancing, and sanitizing will be required
• No wakes will be permitted at private residences. All families are advised to follow AHS measures at funeral homes. No Blood Tribe or entity staff can attend funerals or wakes unless they are immediate family
• All Blood Tribe departments and entity services are limited to essential operations. Non-essential departments will only be open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Staff will work at home on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Essential services remain open
• All entryways to Blood Tribe departments and entities will require temperature checks. All persons accessing public services shall provide contact info
• All Blood Tribe members shall remain within their own family cohorts
• Mandatory masking requirements will continue community-wide
• Physical distancing is required unless you are with your family cohort

READ MORE: Kainai schools to continue online learning “until further notice”

To help residents cope with these new restrictions, Fox announced that all Blood Tribe member households both on-reserve and off-reserve will receive an additional $200. Card system arrangements are in place at the Kainai Market Place for on-reserve members and at Safeway and Sobeys for off-reserve members.

The chief assures that he is working closely with provincial and federal ministers to ensure the Blood Tribe will get a priority share of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

The full video address from Fox and Soup can be viewed below: