Norman Wells is quieter than usual, with most residents staying home from school and work but people are doing well.

SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of people are really adhering to the emergency measures. People are coming into the stores but theySA国际影视传媒檙e in small groups. The kids are out snowmobiling even though itSA国际影视传媒檚 -25 here today,SA国际影视传媒� Mayor Frank Pope told SA国际影视传媒.

Sufficient resources

The Sahtu oil town of just under 800 people depends on the ice road for its supplies during the winter but it has enough food and necessities to last for four months until the next supply barge comes up the Mackenzie River.

SA国际影视传媒淣obody has said theySA国际影视传媒檙e short or running out. Both our stores are equipped with enough groceries and supplies. TheySA国际影视传媒檝e had no incidents of bulk buying. Their shelves are full and they have lots of toilet paper,SA国际影视传媒� Pope said.

The community relies on rotational doctor visits but it has enough nurses in its Sahtu虂 Got'in茅 Regional Health and Social Services Centre, where COVID-19 swab tests have been conducted. There are also nurses in the long-term care facility.

Virus fears

But the town isnSA国际影视传媒檛 worry-free, and Pope said that one thing weighing on the minds of residents is not being able to know through official channels if positive cases of coronavirus appear in Norman Wells.

When the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 first - and so far only - case of COVID-19 was reported in Yellowknife on March 21, the Department of Health and Social Services stated that SA国际影视传媒渢he public is being notified of the community because the size of Yellowknife allows privacy to be sufficiently protected. In smaller communities, the public should not expect to be informed of the community.SA国际影视传媒�

There is also concern among some residents about the potential spread of coronavirus from the transient workforce of Imperial Oil, even though they undergo health checks before they arrive.

SA国际影视传媒淚 know theySA国际影视传媒檙e being tested in Edmonton before they come and then theySA国际影视传媒檙e screened in Yellowknife before they come in so theySA国际影视传媒檙e being well taken care of,SA国际影视传媒� Pope said.

Health safeguards

A plan is in place to ensure the workers are separated farther from the town.

SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檙e going to charter their workers in instead of on Canadian North. That way theySA国际影视传媒檒l come in, they'll go to camp, they'll go to work and wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be in the community at all," said Pope. "They wont need to go through the terminal building. TheySA国际影视传媒檒l be isolated and doing their jobs.SA国际影视传媒�

The town aims to step up safety measures at the airport, and the mayor said he recommended to Sahtu MLA Paulie Chinna on Monday that a health professional be stationed at the airport to check all visitors and take their temperatures.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e also working to acquire some housing so people can find secure housing to isolate in peace and quiet alone. At least that way they can work from the home," said Pope. "I believe the housing corporation is coming up with two or three houses and cots as well. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e going to fly the cots in in the next couple of days.SA国际影视传媒�