DUNCAN, B.C. — The Cowichan First Nation on Vancouver Island has issued a shelter-in-place order as COVID-19 spreads through its territory.
The First Nation says in a statement that there have been 23 confirmed cases since the first case was diagnosed on Jan. 1.
It says the chief and council have approved the order, which all members and residents on the Cowichan Tribes reserve must follow.
The order says people must stay at home, while access to residential areas is also restricted and barriers and checks are set up to enforce it.
The restrictions say one household shopper must be designated and shopping trips need to be limited as the First Nation encourages people to have groceries and medications delivered.
The statement says its pandemic response team has been working closely with the First Nations Health Authority and Island Health to support contact tracing and to monitor cases.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 7, 2021.
The Canadian Press
