Under the pandemic lockdown, the out-of-region snowmobilers visiting Cochrane are not breaking any law. But the chief nursing officer at the Porcupine Health Unit, Chantal Riopel points out that people are being advised to avoid non-essential travel.
“Although there is no travel ban in the province,” she states, “limiting travel and following other public health guidance will reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 in our communities, especially if individuals are travelling from an area with a high number of cases.”
That includes within the health unit region.
“Again, though, we are trying to limit the travel as much as possible. Going from community to community does increase your risk of exposure and so we are trying to ask people to stay home as much as possible.”
Riopel says we should only be going out for essential needs such as groceries and medical appointments, and that we all share the responsibility of keeping each other safe.
