The community of Pond Inlet has been busy maintaining its food program while following social distancing procedures for Covid-19. According to Pond Inlet’s chief administrative officer (CAO) the local stores are doing “extremely well” with social distancing requirements. Within stores, there are markers indicating the distance that people should stay apart.
“And I must admit the people in the community, as a whole, are doing a great job of distancing themselves from other individuals. So, they've really stepped up to the plate to do the right things,” said CAO David Stockley.
The hamlet is doing “a lot” by providing food deliveries to elders and individuals in the prenatal program. The plans are to also take over the breakfast program this week. Families who have relied on the breakfast program will be delivered food baskets, said Stockley.
The CAO assured during food deliveries the staff are adhering to social distancing. The food baskets are left at the doorsteps of homes after knocking on the door. Once the food basket is received, the staff drive off to their next home.
The hamlet is trying to maintain the aforementioned programs, since there is a “huge need for them in the community," explained Stockley.
To discourage gathering of groups the local Tim Horton’s remains open but has removed its tables and chairs. Some kids may be seen gathered outside of stores, admitted Stockley, but those groups are gradually becoming smaller.
The outdoor rink, which volunteer firefighters created for kids is no longer being maintained.
Operations for water deliveries and garbage collection remain open. Meanwhile, the library, community hall, arena and schools are all closed. At the airport, no individuals are permitted to enter the building unless they are flying.
Different areas within the community have already been scouted out for quarantine purposes. The GN is looking at their housing, said the CAO, adding they have about 12-15 vacant properties. A couple contracting companies, which have bunkhouses, and the community hotel have also been approached about quarantine space.
“So we're just hoping and praying that everything that we're trying to do ... that we do have in place ... we can keep Covid-19 away from Pond Inlet,” said Stockley.