Yukon NDP calls for release of CMOH recommendations as Covid infections surge

November 10, 2021

Whitehorse, YT — The Yukon is now facing the highest rates of Covid-19 the territory has seen, and the highest rate of infection in the country. Yukon will remain the only jurisdiction in Canada to have no mask mandate for another four days.

“It didn’t have to be like this. Lockdowns are bad for mental health, they’re bad for business, but it’s now the only choice following weeks of inaction to combat rising case numbers. This was predicable — we’ve been asking questions for weeks now.”

• Kate White, Leader of the Yukon NDP

When questioned about anything related to Covid-19, the Premier responded that he was listening to the science.

In most jurisdictions in Canada, the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) has the power to mandate masks — but, not in the Yukon.

The Yukon NDP called for this almost two weeks ago. 

In the Yukon, these decisions are being made by politicians.

Yukoners are growing distrustful of this arrangement. This is why the NDP is calling on the territorial Liberals to publish the CMOH’s recommendations to the Yukon Government.

“People are looking for strong leadership and clear communications to keep them safe. Yukoners have been reaching out to our office for weeks asking why there is no mask mandate, why less information is being published than before, and what is being done to protect teachers and students. The Liberals need to answer these questions to the public.”

• Kate White, Leader of the Yukon NDP

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