If you want to use municipal buildings in Rankin Inlet, youSA国际影视传媒檒l need to be vaccinated.

Hamlet council unanimously passed the proof-of-vaccination bylaw Oct. 25. It will apply to all municipal buildings in Rankin Inlet, from the arena to community hall, as of Nov. 30.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen people go to enter the building, theySA国际影视传媒檒l be asked to present proof of vaccination,SA国际影视传媒� said Darren Flynn, senior administrative officer with the hamlet.

The hamlet will not be scanning anything or retaining any information, he added. Instead, vinyl bracelets will be available for vaccinated people to wear to show their proof of vaccination going forward.

SA国际影视传媒淭hen any subsequent time somebody goes to enter one of our buildings, all they have to do is flash that wristband,SA国际影视传媒� said Flynn.

The bylaw covers municipal buildings only, not stores or private facilities. At the municipal office, unvaccinated people will still be permitted to enter and make payments or apply for permits.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople will still have access to those services,SA国际影视传媒� said Flynn, noting they would still be required to wear a mask.

He said there have been a couple of written submissions and comments on Facebook criticizing the decision.

SA国际影视传媒淎t the end of the day, council has chosen to take this step,SA国际影视传媒� said Flynn.

One thing that did change on third reading of the bylaw was to make exceptions for people with immune deficiencies or those who cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons.

Those people will have the option of writing directly to Flynn to request an exemption. They will be required to supply valid documentation showing they have a real medical condition that prevents them from getting vaccinated, said Flynn.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 mean that exemption will automatically be granted,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淏ut it means that we will take it under consideration.SA国际影视传媒�

He said itSA国际影视传媒檚 not a way out for people who are afraid of needles or making a stand on another level.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e trying to protect people,SA国际影视传媒� said Flynn, adding that the hamlet is also hoping to raise indoor capacity limits with this move.

SA国际影视传媒淚f we have a building of fully vaccinated people that are wearing masks, then we should be able to raise our limits.SA国际影视传媒�

The community hall has a capacity limit of 410 people, but only 100 are allowed in right now. The new $30-million arena has 950 seats, but only 50 people are allowed in those currently.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is trying to get us towards a place where council can start increasing those numbers for our public buildings,SA国际影视传媒� said Flynn, SA国际影视传媒渁nd start getting people back to enjoying the things they want to enjoy in life and get on with life.SA国际影视传媒�

When he spoke to Kivalliq News on Nov. 23, Flynn hinted there may be an announcement about capacity numbers soon, in consultation with the office of the Chief Public Health Officer.

The hamlets of Baker Lake and Chesterfield Inlet both told Kivalliq News that no similar bylaw was planned or active in their communities.

As for a territorial vaccine passport system, Danarae Sommerville, communications specialist with the Government of Nunavut, said that would require input and feedback from Minister of Health John Main.

SA国际影视传媒淭he Department of Health will discuss with the Minister of Health once the new cabinet is selected and the minister receives their portfolio,SA国际影视传媒� stated Sommerville in an email before cabinet was appointed.