Six Nations implements new COVID-19 restrictions to address 'alarming' transmission rates

Face coverings are now mandatory inside all indoor public spaces in Six Nations of the Grand River, as the community grapples with an "alarming" number of COVID-19 cases.

Council members made the decision during a special meeting Thursday, after listening to recommendations from its emergency control group. As a result, council has also made three other decisions to stop the spread of the virus.

Federal schools will stay closed to students until January 2021, said a statement from the First Nation's administration office. The situation will be re-assessed in December, and the school is still open to teachers.

The third motion passed Thursday restricts unmonitored indoor and outdoor gatherings to household members only, while the fourth says trick-or-treating is "strongly discouraged."

Instead of the regular Halloween festivities, council has approved the organization of a community Halloween drive-thru event slated for Oct.30from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The rules are in "full effect," the statement reads, and are meant to address an "alarming community transmission rate."

In a community bulletin, Chief Mark Hill said he fears more cases will be revealed since the Thanksgiving long weekend was two weeks ago.

As of Monday, Ohsweken Public Health said there were four new cases of the virus and 31 active cases in total. That means a total of 69 people have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began.