File photo of a Blood Tribe Administration sign. (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Blood Tribe enacts enhanced COVID-19 health measures, including curfew

Oct 5, 2021 | 8:47 AM

STAND OFF, AB – New public health measures have come into effect on the Blood Reserve.

In a statement posted Monday, October 4, the Blood Reserve said COVID-19 measures that have been implemented since March 2020 “have been effective in the success of protecting Blood Tribe members.”

Administration continues to encourage members to get fully immunized against COVID-19 prior to travelling. Additionally, all Blood Reserve (vaccinated and unvaccinated) residents attending off-reserve events “are strongly encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 upon returning to the Reserve.”

Drop-in asymptomatic testing can be completed at the fire hall, Mondays to Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Symptomatic testing is done at the BTDH ATCO trailer, by appointment only. Those needing to book a test can call 403-737-8411 or 403-737-3933.

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Restrictions included in Monday’s statement include:

• All individuals ordered to be in quarantine by the Blood Tribe Department of Health or by Alberta Health Services through contact tracers must stay in strict quarantine as directed or they will be subject to any applicable penalties.
• A curfew has been reinstated on the Blood Reserve, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Travel is restricted for essential and important reasons only.
• Gatherings for any purpose shall be subject to the following rules until further notice:
  • No indoor public gatherings, except for minor hockey. No parents or audience members are permitted and only players, coaches and officials who have been vaccinated can attend. Minor hockey will be monitored in case of any outbreaks by Blood Tribe health officials.
  • Temperature checks, masking and physical distancing of at least two metres, and hand sanitizers will be required at all public buildings and outdoor gatherings.
  • Indoor gatherings are not allowed, outside of family cohorts, at private residences.
  • All funerals shall only be held at funeral homes and not at private residences. Outdoor wakes are allowed and then only as approved in advance by the DEM and Blood Tribe Community Health, with continued safety measures for outdoor gatherings.
• All entry ways to Blood Tribe Departments and Entities will require temperature checks and all persons accessing public services shall provide contact information.
• Mandatory masking shall continue community-wide until further notice.
• All persons will continue to physical distance at least two metres when in public unless they are with their family cohort.

More on the Blood Tribe’s response to COVID-19 is available here.