Two diamond mines in the NWT have undertaken measures with personnel and operations as the COVID-19 pandemic situation continues to unfold.

The Diavik Diamond Mine, operated by Rio Tinto, announced March 20 it sent some NWT workers home  on paid leave although operations continue at full capacity.

SA国际影视传媒淭his measure applies for around 50 employees from the following communities: Deline, Fort Good Hope, Fort Simpson, Gameti, Jean Marie River, Lutsel KSA国际影视传媒檈, Tulita, Wekweeti, Whati in the Northwest Territories and Gjoa Haven, Kugaaruk, Kugluktuk in Nunavut,SA国际影视传媒� said Diavik spokesperson Matthew Klar.

SA国际影视传媒淒iavik began notifying team members on this on Wednesday and at the moment it applies until April 14, when Diavik will reassess the situation.SA国际影视传媒�

Around 1,100 employees and contractors work at the site, though the numbers vary from time to time.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur first priority is the safety of employees and community members. This week we have taken the proactive step of putting employees who reside in 12 isolated communities in the Northwest Territories on paid leave. This measure will help to reduce risks for these communities.SA国际影视传媒�

The company is also cancelling all SA国际影视传媒渘on-business critical travelSA国际影视传媒� to the mine site, carrying out health screenings, and asking employees to stay home if they feel unwell or believe they've been exposed to COVID-19.

Diavik's announcement follows a similar one on March 19 from Dominion Diamond Mines, which said it has suspended operations at its Ekati site.

In a statement, Dominion said none of its employees have tested positive for COVID-19 but SA国际影视传媒渢his preventative action was determined to be a necessary step given the rapid spread of the virus, the remote location of the Ekati mineSA国际影视传媒檚 operations and the high frequency of air travel required for employees and support staff to access mining operations.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒 has reached out to De Beers, the NWT's third diamond mine, for comment. That company operates the Gahcho Kue diamond mine northeast of Yellowknife.

There were no positive cases of the coronavirus in the NWT and 222 tests have been conducted, according to the latest update on March 19 from the Department of Health and Social Services.