Tłı̨chǫ Government offices opened to the public by appointment
On October 5th Tłı̨chǫ Government offices opened to the public by appointment only.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a serious threat to Tłı̨chǫ communities, the chiefs decided that for the effective and efficient provision of services it was necessary to begin opening the offices to the public. To prepare for this, the administration has taken many precautionary measures to protect the health and safety of the staff and the public. Plexi-glass shields have been installed at reception areas, there are markers on the floor to remind people to stay 6 feet apart, there are increased cleaning and sanitization protocols and there are a number of new processes and protocols that need to be followed.
Visits will need to:
- Make an appointment.
- Complete COVID-19 Self-Questionnaire.
- Temperature taking (A temperature above 99°F or 38°C will be sent home, advised to seek medical attention and welcomed to return to the location when a fever and symptoms of COVID-19 no longer exist).
- Will be directed to designated meeting space.
One very important measure that helps to ensure social distancing can be maintained is office capacity limits. The office capacity limit is the total number of people that can be in attendance at a Tłı̨chǫ Government office at any given time while still maintaining enough space to ensure social distancing of at least 6 feet (2 meters) between each person. Capacity limits have been set by the chiefs for each Tłı̨chǫ Government office as per the guidance in the Emerging Wisely plan. Site Supervisors at each Tłı̨chǫ Government office ensure that these limits and other preventative measures are respected in order to safeguard the health and well-being of the staff and the public.
1. Make an appointment. Any member of the public wishing to attend a Tłı̨chǫ Government office must contact the staff member they wish to see to arrange an appointment. The staff member will then confirm with the Site Supervisor if the office capacity limit will allow for the member of the public to attend the office. If the capacity has been reached, the Site Supervisor will inform the staff that the public cannot attend at that time. If the building capacity has not been reached, the Site Supervisor will authorize the staff to book the appointment. The staff will then contact the individual to confirm the time and date of their appointment.
2. Complete COVID-19 Self-Questionnaire. The day of the appointment, the staff will contact the individual to complete a COVID-19 Self-Questionnaire. This is a tool that will help to determine if the individual is experiencing any symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. If the screening does not reveal any risks, the individual will be allowed to attend the office.
a. Questionnaire. The questionnaire not only includes the screening questions to evaluate risk but it records the temperature, and outlines the following mandatory measures: maintaining physical distancing; using hand sanitizer and washing hands frequently; wiping down high touch areas in the bathroom if facilities are used; and, the use of a non-medical mask while in the building. By signing this questionnaire the individual is acknowledging that the statements they made are true, that they understand the elevated risk of contracting COVID-19 in a public place; and that they agree to follow the established measures while they are in the office.
3. Temperature taking. When the individual arrives at the office for their appointment, the receptionist will take their temperature. Temperatures are taken because a fever is an early warning sign of infection and is common in illnesses like COVID-19. If the individual’s temperature is normal (around 98.6 degrees) they will be asked to review their COVID-19 Self-4. 4.
4. Designated meeting space. The meeting between the staff and the individual will take place in a newly created meeting space, a boardroom or a large office, depending on the building. Both the staff and individual will be required to use a non-medical mask for the entire meeting. The individual attending the office will not be permitted to walk around the office or visit other staff members. They will only be allowed in the space used for the meeting and the public washroom.
Record of all attendances will be kept by the Site Supervisor to facilitate contact tracing if someone were to become ill with COVID-19.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation while we implement these measures.
