News

Pandemic Planning | AFN | Public Website Update | 03/17/2020

Published: March 17 2020 09:48

Pandemic Planning
Acadia First Nation
Public Website Update
March 16, 2020

The leadership of Acadia First Nation has been working diligently to identify what is deemed to be in the best interest on Acadia Band members and their employees. Direction to band members must remain consistent with the message being passed on through the Nova Scotia Regional Health Authority and the Government of Canada. In reference to the latest updates the following has been decided by Chief and Council in consultation with AFN business managers and Emergency Planning personnel.

  1.  Acadia First Nation Administration Staff
    The administration staff in the various offices throughout the six Acadia First nation Communities will work in their respective offices until March 19th, 2020. The offices are closed to the public at the present time and will remain closed until further notice.
    The Administration staff will continue to work for Acadia First Nation but from home starting on March 23rd and continue through to April 3rd, 2020. At this time further decisions will be made by Chief and Council based on the ongoing updates provided through the provincial and federal governments
  2. Store Operations
    The following has been decided by Chief and Council in consultation with Store Managers.
    1. Gold Nugget / Gold Bean
      • The Gold Nugget has closed access to its Gaming Centers in Gold River and all other AFN operated gaming centers until further notice.
      • The store has closed access to its convenience store however all items including tobacco and gas can be accessed through the drive through window located onsite.
      • The Gold Bean restaurant will be closed until further Notice.
      • The Gold Nugget new store hours will be from 6 am to 10 pm
    2. Winners World / Winner One Stop
      • The Winners World will close access to its convenience store as of Wednesday March 17th at 6 am.
      • The Winners Onestop will close its restaurant to the public but remain open for Take Out orders while providing support for convenience store items.
      • The Winners World gaming centers will remain closed until further notice
      • The new hours for the Winners World are 6 am to 10 pm
      • The new Winners Onestop hours will be from 11 am to 7 pm.
      • All Convenience store requests for tobacco and food will be requested and paid for through the drive through window.
    3. The Hammonds Plains Entertainment Center
      • The Hammonds Plains gaming center will remain closed until further notice
      • The new store hours will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 am to 8 pm
      • The front door to the convenience location will be closed from March 18 until further notice
      • Any convenience store requests or tobacco requests will be conducted through the drive-in window
    4. The Medway Store
      • The Medway store will remain open during its regular store hours
      • The Medway staff will work to assist patrons where possible to limit entry into the convenience store as much as possible. The Medway Store does not have a drive through window but provides local band members with a number of required items. This will be monitored on a day to day basis.
    5. The Bingo Hall/ Entertainment Centre - Yarmouth
      • All Bingo has been cancelled until further notice
      • All gaming has been cancelled until further notice
      • The quota / retail tobacco sales will follow new store hours. Store hours will be Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 10 am to 6 pm.
    6. The AFN Youth Center
      • The Youth Center is closed until further notice
    7. Rental of AFN Space for Gathering
      • All community centers are closed for coordinated gatherings until further notice. No planned gatherings until further notice

Other Points of Interest:

  1. For questions on the treatment of this illness please stay tuned to the news feeds both on TV as well as updated provided online through the Nova Scotia Health Authority. If you have questions for our health department , the Health Director can be contacted at
  2. All on and off reserve requests will be halted for the foreseeable future. Carpentry staff will be used only on call out emergent purposes.

Thank you again for all your understanding in this challenging period of time. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated

Sincerely,

Lloyd Mac Dougall
Band manager
Acadia First Nation

COVID-19 Visitation and Warning Signs

Published: March 17 2020 09:08

Below are some files which you can download and print to help with COVID-19 awareness and safe practices

Self Isolation STOP sign:

Click Here

Safe Practices STOP sign:

Click Here

No Visitors STOP sign:

Click Here

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Regarding COVID-19 Assessment Centres

Published: March 12 2020 20:31

Please visit the below link to find information regarding the recently established COVID-19 Assessment Centres.

https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus

COVID-19 Information and Updates | March 11, 2020

Published: March 11 2020 11:16

Coronavirus – Update #7

March 10, 2020

NSHA has opened initial COVID-19 assessment centres across the province

HALIFAX, N.S. – Nova Scotia Health Authority has opened COVID-19 assessment centres across the province. These assessment centres will further support efforts to identify and contain COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Nova Scotia where, to date, no cases have been confirmed.

The dedicated assessment centres are intended to help lessen current pressures in emergency departments, while also decreasing the possibility of transmission among the public. 

“We expedited opening these COVID-19 assessment centres to respond to increased assessment demand as a result of the change in national screening protocols,” said Dr. Todd Hatchette, Chief of Microbiology, Nova Scotia Health Authority.

The change in national screening protocols means that anyone who has travelled outside Canada may have come in contact with the novel coronavirus and should closely monitor their health for 14 days after returning to the country. Travellers who start to feel unwell should stay at home/self-isolate from the public.

Nova Scotians who have travelled out of country and who develop a fever with a temperature of 38°C or higher, and/or cough, should call 811.

811 will provide direction on what to do next. If there is a need for in-person assessment, 811 will refer to a COVID-19 assessment centre.

Please do not go to a COVID-19 assessment centre without having been referred by 811. We are working to be able to book specific appointment times in the coming days.

Those directed to an assessment centre by 811 will then have a physical assessment on site and based on that a swab will be taken for patients for whom it is appropriate.

In the event a person requires more urgent care, 811 will provide advice on accessing emergency departments.

“We want Nova Scotians to be able to access the right care, in the right setting, at the right times,” said Dr. Hatchette. ““The resources of our health system are already strained by the seasonal flu and other demands. These COVID-19 assessment centres are another measure that will focus our work on testing those who most require it and to also help lessen the pressure on the rest of our system. We ask for the public’s patience and cooperation as we respond to this quickly evolving situation.”

NSHA will continue to monitor this evolving situation and will respond in step with Department of Health and Wellness and other health system partners.

The initial locations are at:

  • Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney
  • Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville
  • South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater
  • Yarmouth Regional Hospital, Yarmouth
  • Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro
  • East Side Collaborative Practice, New Glasgow
  • Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, Amherst
  • Cobequid Community Health Centre, Lower Sackville

Additional assessment centres will open in the coming days. Updates will be available at www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus.

811 will have up to date information and will provide current information to those needing access to a centre for assessment.

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Update: From The AFN Health Director | COVID-19 Information

Published: March 11 2020 11:05

The AFN Health Director would like to provide the below information to our members. The below PDF's will help you and your families be prepared for COVID-19.

COVID-19 Fact Sheets for Families and Individuals (English)

COVID-19 Fact Sheets for Families and Individuals (French)

COVID-19 Fact Sheets for Businesses (English)

COVID-19 Fact Sheets for Businesses (French)

Handwashing Guidlines (English)

Handwashing Guidlines (French)

COVID-19 Information and Updates

Published: March 04 2020 15:52

March 3, 2020

CDC Coordinator, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)/Government of Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada is actively monitoring the situation regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Public health authorities across Canada — at all levels of government — are working together to adapt our response to this rapidly changing situation. In Canada, and around the world, researchers are actively investigating all aspects of the novel coronavirus outbreak to further understand this disease and how the outbreak may progress.

A Special Advisory Committee of Canada’s Chief Medical Officers of Health is in place to respond to COVID-19. This Committee will focus its attention on coordination of federal, provincial and territorial preparedness and response across Canada’s health sector. While the large majority of the cases are in mainland China, with most of these occurring in Hubei province, this virus has now been detected in a number of countries around the world. It is prudent that we prepare for the possibility that the virus could spread further.

The risk of spread of this virus within Canada remains low at this time. However, we should plan for all possible scenarios and base our response on evidence as the science of the novel coronavirus continues to emerge.

There are however a number of things that we can all do to stay healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory infections.

  • washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
  • avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands;
  • avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
  • coughing or sneezing into your sleeve and not your hands; and
  • staying home if you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others.

As part of community preparedness and response, it is important to note that Acadia First Nation Community Emergency Measures Planning Team is reviewing and updating (last updated on, March 03, 2020) our Health Emergency Plans.

The following sources have the latest and most up-to-date information on COVID-19

For more information on how you can prepare for a potential outbreak and way to keep safe and healthy, please use the link provided below to visit the Government of Canada's recommendations.

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/being-prepared.html