Premier Scott Moe says he didn’t find out about the outbreak in Lloydminster until Wednesday morning. The information wasn’t immediate for the city’s mayor either. Local health officials report that the outbreak was confirmed on Sunday. Some of the reasoning was around concern about panic.

NDP Leader Ryan Meili wonders what happened to have that gap in communication and adds that the information should have been made made available for leaders immediately and for the public as quickly as possible. He says it’s important for whatever community is affected to have early and clear information so they can protect themselves and others.

The COVID-19 outbreak in La Loche and the surrounding communities is a concern for northern leaders who have been saying for weeks they need to be involved in the planning work, but haven’t been given that opportunity. NDP Leader Ryan Meili who has a list of actions for the government. They include a $10-million emergency fund to help northern municipalities with things like road checkpoints and food security issues, enough testing for every resident in La Loche, Clearwater River Dene Nation, Patuanak, English River Dene Nation and for everyone being advised to self-monitor if they visited the Beauval General Store, where an employee tested positive for the virus. Meili is also calling for field hospital capacity in La Loche for COVID-19 patients, collaboration with northern leaders including supports to control travel in the the North and a plan to ensure enough access to affordable, nutritious food.

Meili would like to see more clarity on inter-provincial travel regulations. He has heard that both Manitoba and Alberta have checkpoints when you enter their provinces and he believes Saskatchewan should have the same.