Northern BC First Nation goes into lockdown as virus precaution

Photo: Contributed

A Northern B.C. First Nation has entered a full lock down.

The announcement by the Halfway River First Nation, north of Fort St. John, says residents will only be allowed to leave the community for health reasons, and those who otherwise disobey will not be allowed to re-enter unless agreeing to mandatory 14 days of self-isolation.

In a notice to members, the band council said the decision was made due to the risk of the coronavirus.

“Council wants to keep the community safe, especially our elders and the ones with weak immune systems,” they wrote.

Security will monitor who leaves, and elders will be checked on the ensure their needs are met.

Chief Darlene Hunter declined further comment.

Halfway River closed its office on March 20, until April 20. 

Dr. Bonnie Henry reported Thursday five recoveries and two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Northern Health region.

There are now 725 cases and 14 deaths in B.C. Sixty-six of those infected are in hospital, 26 of them in intensive care; another 186 people have recovered.