Yukon may reduce quarantine times if current measures hold, says top doctor

WHITEHORSE — Yukon’s top doctor says a 14-day self-isolation period could eventually be lifted after travel into the territory when he is more confident that reopening measures are stable.

Dr. Brendan Hanley says the territory is in a holding pattern as it watches trends in the rest of the country while allowing people in Yukon to get used to children being back in school.

He says he knows other places in the world are looking at ways of cutting down quarantine times using testing or other measures, but more experience and evidence is needed.

Hanley says Yukon should hold on to what is known to work well as schools open and the territory prepares for the winter flu season.

Premier Sandy Silver says there were no active cases of COVID-19 and no known community transmission.

The COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 15, with everyone who was infected having recovered.

The territory has tested 2,459 people.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2020.

News from © Canadian Press Enterprises Inc. 2020