Chris MacIntyreAPTN NewsOrganizers of the 2020 Arctic Winter Games and Yukon government say they’re taking all necessary precautions to avoid an outbreak of COVID-19 in Whitehorse during the games which are scheduled to run the week of Mar. 15.Whitehorse is expecting 2,000 participants travelling from Arctic countries and northern regions.Yukon’s chief medical officer for health said authorities are keeping watch over the situation.“Yukon public health officials are closely monitoring the novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) outbreak in cooperation with other northern, Canadian and international jurisdictions,” said Dr. Brendan Hanley. “At this point the risk to the Canadian public being affected by 2019-nCoV remains low, and there is no reason to change travel plans for this event.”Currently in Canada there are 29 reported cases of COVID-19. None of which are in the Yukon.The Chief Medical Officer of Health also outlined a few preventative measures for all visitors and participants to prevent any illness during the games including, washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 per cent alcohol if soap and water are not available, avoid touching eyes nose or mouth with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay away from events and others and report promptly if you are sick.There are no reports of covid-19 in the Yukon or any arctic country.If an illness is reported during the Games, the CMOH’s office will be contacted and public health protocols would take effect.For updated information from the CMOH on 2019-nCov, visit www.yukoncmoh.ca/
