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Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation has an approximate population of 1,000. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)
business restrictions

Northern Store in Fond du Lac ordered to close in-person sales

Nov 24, 2020 | 3:37 PM

The Northern Store in Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation has been forced to close all in-person sales.

That’s according to a letter sent to the store from the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority and signed by its medical health officer Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka. It states the transmission of COVID-19 is a serious health threat and there is reason to believe the Northern Store is serving as a point of congregation for community members.

“Persons known to be close contacts and should be self-isolating are visiting the store for periods of time that could allow for disease transmission,” the letter states. “The above described conditions increase the likelihood of exposure to or transmission of COVID-19.”

The order is deemed necessary to decrease or eliminate the risk to health presented by the virus.

Effective Nov. 25, for 14 days or until deemed safe by Ndubuka, the store will only be allowed to conduct online and curbside pick up sales.

On Sunday, the Athabasca Health Authority released an update about Fond du Lac residents not self-isolating and refusing to be tested. It mentioned close contacts or individual with COVID-19 symptoms were frequenting the Northern Store and putting local health care professionals at risk.

larongeNOW reached out to Ndubuka for an interview, but he was unavailable before publishing.

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno