Yukon News Releases
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Statement from Minister Frost on President Biden’s moratorium being a step in the right direction for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Within hours of his inauguration, US President Joe Biden issued an executive order stopping the Bureau of Land Management’s current oil and gas lease program for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
This is an important step towards reversing the former administration’s efforts to open the critical habitat to industrial development and will help maintain the sustainability of the important Porcupine caribou herd.
Government of Yukon provides additional staffing and tutoring supports for the 2020–21 school year
The Government of Yukon is hiring more educators and has increased funding for tutoring programs to support students for the remainder of the 2020–21 school year.
Whitehorse COVID-19 screening drive-thru closes
The drive-thru COVID-19 screening service in Whitehorse will close end of day today. The drive-thru, located at Centennial Motors, 91628 Alaska Highway, in the wash bay, will no longer be open or available for testing people with symptoms.
The drive-thru testing centre was opened on November 23, 2020 to help meet the increased demand for testing. Since its opening, 816 people were tested at the drive-thru. Due to the low testing rates, this additional location is no longer needed.
Outstanding service recognized by Premier Sandy Silver
Premier Sandy Silver presented three individuals and three teams with the 2020 Premier’s Award for Excellence and Innovation. The individual recipients are Andrew Smith, Josee Bergeron and Bobbi Rhodes. The team recipients are the Dawson and Mayo Modernization Infrastructure Team; Mental Wellness and Substance Use Immunization Team; and the Our Clean Future Strategy Development Team.
January 20, 2021: COVID-19 update
Please note that the number of Yukoners who have received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine has been corrected, as well as the number of decals distributed indicating out-of-territory vehicles allowed in Yukon.
The Government of Yukon has the following updates for the Yukon public on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 cases and recoveries
Candidates selected for Youth Panel on Climate Change
A diverse group of 13 young climate leaders have been selected to form the Government of Yukon’s first Youth Panel on Climate Change. The panel members were chosen in December and met with Premier Sandy Silver and Minister of Community Services John Streicker during a virtual meeting on January 19.
Panel members include:
Shingles and HPV vaccines are now available in pharmacies
Vaccinations are one of the most effective public health interventions for promoting and maintaining good health. To support Yukoners’ long-term wellbeing and quality of life, the Government of Yukon is publicly funding the shingles vaccine, Shingrix, for Yukoners between the ages of 65 and 70.
In addition to this, the Government of Yukon is also expanding the eligibility of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine program to include all Yukoners up to and including age 26.
Government of Yukon aviation projects reach new heights
The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Aviation Advisory Committee met yesterday to discuss a number of initiatives impacting the territory’s aviation sector. The committee reviewed and provided their feedback on the Public Airports Act Regulations.
Making medical travel easier and more affordable for Yukoners
The Government of Yukon has amended the Travel for Medical Treatment Regulations. As of January 1, 2021, the medical travel subsidy is $150 per day for multi-day travel for out-patients and for escorts accompanying in-patients. Patients and escorts will have access to a $75 per day subsidy for same day travel. Beginning in 2022, the subsidy will be indexed yearly to the Canadian Consumer Price Index.
January 13, 2021: COVID-19 update
The Government of Yukon has the following updates for the Yukon public on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 cases and recoveries
As of today, January 13, the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 70. Sixty-three people have recovered, one person has died and there are six active cases. We have tested 6,130 people.
Vaccination rollout progress
Support provided for Haines, Alaska
The Government of Yukon has provided C$25,000 to the Salvation Army Alaska Division to support relief and recovery efforts in Haines, Alaska.
This contribution will go towards the December 2020 South East Alaska Winter Storm Response to help families who are in need of emergency support. It also builds on the Government of Yukon’s immediate efforts to clear the Alaska Highway and facilitate the movement of support from the rest of Alaska.
Possible COVID-19 case confirmed negative
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirms that a possible case linked to multiple contacts over the past week has tested negative for COVID-19. This person was initially tested outside of the territory using a point-of-care rapid test, which gave a positive result. To confirm the results, the Government of Yukon requested a second test using the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that is considered to be the gold standard in COVID-19 testing.
Work to protect Porcupine caribou will continue
Partners to the Canadian Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement came together on January 6, 2021 to respond to the recent oil and gas lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The parties are committed to advocating for protection of the Porcupine caribou herd and this vital habitat.
Together, the parties released this statement:
January 7, 2021: COVID-19 update
The Government of Yukon has the following updates for the Yukon public on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 cases and recoveriesAs of today, January 7, the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 69. Fifty-nine people have recovered, one person has died, and there are 9 active cases. We have tested 6,057 people.
VaccinationsCOVID-19 vaccinations are underway in Yukon with 310 doses given out between January 4 and 6, 2021. Regular updates on total vaccinations will be provided every Wednesday and posted to Yukon.ca.
Vaccine rollout schedule released
The Government of Yukon’s rollout schedule for administering the COVID-19 vaccine in the territory is now available.
Two mobile teams will provide vaccinations in communities across the territory, starting the week of January 18, 2021. Each mobile team will travel with multiple immunizers providing the vaccine to as many people as possible while they are in each community. The Whitehorse vaccination clinic is scheduled to open the week of January 18, 2021.
Seeking public feedback on details of single-use shopping bag ban
The Government of Yukon wants to hear from Yukoners on how to best implement a ban on single-use shopping bags, both plastic and paper.
Provide your input on details of the ban including timing for implementation, exemptions that should be allowed and any issues or barriers related to implementing the ban.
Banning single-use shopping bags will help reduce waste in Yukon and protect the environment. This public engagement will ensure the ban is introduced in a way that works for Yukoners, businesses and municipalities.
Preliminary creative and cultural industries strategy out for public review
Today, the Government of Yukon released Creative Potential: Advancing Yukon’s Creative Economy for public comment.
This draft strategy for supporting the creative and cultural industries is the first of its kind for Yukon, presenting 22 specific actions under four strategic objectives: stimulate growth, focusing policies, developing programs and services, strengthening connections and fostering knowledge.
First Yukoners receive COVID-19 vaccine
Vaccinations started today at Whistle Bend Place in Whitehorse. This marks the start of a territory-wide immunization campaign that will be the most comprehensive vaccine program ever delivered in Yukon.
Agnes Mills, age 84, is a resident at Whistle Bend Place and was the first to receive the vaccine. Mills is a Vuntut Gwitchin Elder from Old Crow. Mills was inducted into the Order of Yukon last month for her lifelong work to advance the rights of Indigenous people.
January 1, 2021: four new COVID-19 cases confirmed
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirms four new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the territory’s total to 64 cases. There are currently four active cases in Yukon.
