COVID-19 update for Friday, January 8, 2021

Yesterday, Musqueam Indian Band confirmed its first COVID-19 cases on reserve. We knew Musqueam was not invincible to this pandemic, and while the last 10 months have been difficult, we have been steadily preparing for this moment.

Today’s notice provides clarification on health protocols we are recommending to residents.

Musqueam Reserve residents are currently recommended to:

• • “stay in place” over the next 7 days while contact tracing and isolation periods are observed.
  • only leave their homes for essential services like food, water, medicine, doctors’ appointments and work.
  • refrain from social activities with people from outside their household bubble, including outdoor walking, visiting/gathering or golfing.
  • take a walk by yourself or with your household bubble while maintaining a safe distance from other household bubbles.

External contractors and other workers on Musqueam Reserve must pause services until proof of negative COVID-19 test results is provided or the current protocols are lifted. This excludes those hired as essential workers with the health and security departments.

As a community, we must re-confirm our commitment to protecting our Elders and most vulnerable residents by upholding the provincial health officer’s orders, which are extended until February 5th, 2021.

Schools remain open in BC & school bus is operating

At this time, Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC’s provincial health officer, has not issued any restrictions on school attendance. The choice to learn in-class or online remains with parents and guardians. Unless you are instructed to isolate by public health, children can continue to attend their school. 

The Musqueam School Bus will continue to operate and transport students to and from Southlands Elementary and Immaculate Conception School.  The school bus will still ask students to wear masks and the bus will continue to be sanitized on a regular basis.

For more information on school safety you can visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website. 

Check website and social media for updates

For the foreseeable future, administration will provide daily updates about current confirmed case numbers, support available and protocols to follow during this time. Please check here on the website (www.musqueam.bc.ca) and on our official Musqueam Facebook Page.

Last night, we released a video message from Chief Wayne Sparrow discussing these updates. Visit www.vimeo.com/musqueam for all Musqueam videos.

Please continue to follow important COVID-19 restrictions to keep #MusqueamStrong. Together, each doing our individual part, we will get through this pandemic stronger than ever.

hay ce:p q̓ə,

Musqueam Leadership