Three days before Christmas, Robert Anderson found out there had been a case of Covid-19 at his workplace, Giant Mine.

Knowing that he had to self-isolate, he called the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 8-1-1 Covid information line with what he thought was a simple question: Could he leave his house to go for a walk or a drive as long as he didnSA国际影视传媒檛 come into contact with anyone?

SA国际影视传媒淚 wanted to know if we were able to go out, not just sit in the house all the time,SA国际影视传媒� Anderson says. SA国际影视传媒淭he girl said, SA国际影视传媒榃ell, I donSA国际影视传媒檛 know. ISA国际影视传媒檒l ask my manager.SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒�

The operator eventually told him he would need to contact the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) for an answer to his question.

SA国际影视传媒淸The hotline] couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 even answer that question,SA国际影视传媒� he says.

Anderson didnSA国际影视传媒檛 contact the NTHSSA. Instead, he reached out to his MLA, Katrina Nokleby, who was only able to supply him with an answer on Dec. 30.

By then, Anderson had received a negative rapid test on the eighth day of his isolation, meaning he was free to go. Although he could have left his house so long as he maintained social distancing, Anderson had spent his entire isolation period inside.

Nokleby, MLA for Great Slave, says many of her constituents informed her of their struggles to get Covid-related questions answered over the holidays.

SA国际影视传媒淚 find for myself, itSA国际影视传媒檚 confusing to answer constituents,SA国际影视传媒� she says. SA国际影视传媒淲hy canSA国际影视传媒檛 8-1-1 answer if theySA国际影视传媒檙e allowed to go for a walk? To me that seems like something they should know, considering it came up 10 months ago as a question. So itSA国际影视传媒檚 just very frustrating.SA国际影视传媒�

Covid Secretariat spokesperson Richard Makohoniuk says ProtectNWT staff were only operating on reduced hours for three days during the holidays SA国际影视传媒� service hours were reduced to between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New YearSA国际影视传媒檚 Day. Otherwise, the service was available between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

He says callers are only directed to Public Health, or to their healthcare provider, if they have detailed questions about their case.

The Covid Secretariat, which manages the 8-1-1 hotline, falls under the umbrella of the Department of Health and Social Services. The NTHSSA is a separate organization that is responsible for the delivery of health services in the territory.

SA国际影视传媒淭his seems to be sort of the communication mess weSA国际影视传媒檙e in, is that we have two departments handling this,SA国际影视传媒� says Nokleby.