Nipissing First Nation
Changes to Operations During New Provincial Measures
January 14, 2021 – In response to Ontario’s second declaration of emergency and new public health measures, Nipissing First Nation (NFN) Council has approved changes to our operations. This is to align with the provincewide stay-at-home order and shutdown restrictions that will be in effect for 28 days.
COVID-19 illnesses and deaths are at the highest levels since the start of the pandemic, and urgent action is needed to significantly reduce the number of contacts people are having. The purpose of these enhanced measures is to keep people home as much as possible to stop the spread of COVID-19 in communities, protect vulnerable populations, and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.
The stay-at-home order is asking that people remain at their home and on their property unless necessary to leave for essential reasons such as work, school, health care, groceries or to get some outdoor activity.
If you are away from your home or property, keep in mind that this order allows police and other officers to stop you and ask why you might not be home.
Impacts to NFN Business Operations
- NFN Offices: Closed to staff until Tuesday, February 16th (Monday, February 15th is Family Day). Staff will work remotely during this time. Only staff who cannot work from home will be permitted to be on-site to perform their duties. Our offices remain closed to the public until further notice. This is to minimize contact to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our community in line with enhanced public health measures requiring workplaces to ensure all employees work from home if they can.
- NFN Daycares: The Couchie Memorial Daycare and Nipissing Ojibway Daycare remain open for existing registrants, and where both parents/guardians require childcare due to work obligations.
- NFN Afterschool Program: Closed until Tuesday, February 16th.
- Nbisiing Secondary School: Virtual classes will continue to be offered until January 22nd. A 2-week active screening for staff and students will be implemented when the school reopens for inperson learning on Monday, January 25th.
- NFN Businesses: Essential businesses (providing gas and/or groceries) can continue operating with COVID-19 safety precautions in place. NFN staff are working with businesses to ensure these measures are up to date. Non-essential businesses can only be open between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Businesses can provide products/services via curbside pick-up or delivery only until February 11th.
*Please note that patrons must pre-order by phone or online before arriving at the business (with the exception of convenience stores).
- Garden Village Outdoor Rink: Closed effective January 14, 2021 and until further notice. This closure is in accordance with the requirements issued today by the Medical Officer of Health to close all outdoor public ice rinks and sliding hills in the Nipissing Parry Sound District.
- Shuttle Service (Duchesnay Creek Bridge): Hours of operation reduced to 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Enhanced Security Patrols: Extended until Wednesday, February 10th across NFN communities.
New Public Health Measures Impacting NFN Members
Gatherings: Limit close contact to only members of your household (the people you live with).
If you live alone or are a single parent, you may join one other household. Up to five (5) people may gather outdoors as long as you can keep 2 metres physical distance from each other. You should also wear a mask or face covering. Up to ten (10) people can attend a wedding, funeral or religious service.
Fines for not following gathering rules are being enforced (organizers can be fined up to $10,000 and each attendee may receive a $750 ticket).
Elementary & Secondary Students: Students in Grades 1 to 12 must wear masks or face coverings in schools, outdoors when not able to maintain physical distancing and on school transportation, including Nbisiing Bus Lines. Enhanced screening protocols and new screening criteria will be updated on Ontario’s COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool, along with implementing expanded targeted testing. Check your child’s school board websites for more information and updates about these new health and safety measures for students:
- Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board - www.npsc.ca
- Near North District School Board - www.nearnorthschools.ca
- Conseil Scolaire catholique Franco-Nord - www.franco-nord.ca
- Conseil Scolaire public du Nord-Est de L'Ontario - www.cspne.ca
The Support for Learners program is now available to all students up to grade 12. Eligible families can receive $200 for each child or youth up to Grade 12 and $250 for each child or youth up to age 21 with special needs. The deadline to apply is February 8, 2021 and applications can be submitted here:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-support-students-and-parents#section-0
- Post-Secondary Institutions – Open for virtual instruction, with limited exceptions where in-person teaching is required (i.e. clinical training, trades). In-person learning will be available for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning.
- Adult Education Students – Students can continue to receive and submit assignments by coordinating safe curbside pick-up and drop-off arrangements with the instructor.
Source: https://www.nfn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/20210114-Update-2-re-Extended-Shutdown-and-Office-Closure.pdf
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School Bus & Van Drivers
Bus Route #4 – North Bay area (Duchesnay, Yellek and Serenity Lane)
Van Route – Duchesnay, Yellek to North Bay Schools (2)
Nbisiing Secondary School Teacher (World Geography, Peer Leadership & Math)
Nipissing First Nation requires a Teacher at Nbisiing Secondary School to provide instruction in World Geography (CGU4M), Peer Leadership (GPP3O) and Mathematics (MFM2P, MPM2D).
Nbisiing Secondary School Teacher (Phys. Ed & Comms Technology)
Nipissing First Nation requires a Teacher at Nbisiing Secondary School to provide instruction in Physical Education (PPL1O and PPL30/40) and Communications Technology (TGJ3O/3M).