Due to the increased numbers of COVID-19 cases in Northern Manitoba, MKO Santa Express for 2020 is cancelled. Public health has implemented travel restrictions to Northern Manitoba and remote communities. Our First Nations have pandemic community guidelines and action plans that MKO will honour to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
Grand Chief Garrison Settee urges everyone to follow public health orders to not socialize with people from outside their household, to cut down the number of close contacts, and avoid closed-in or crowded spaces.
MKO is committed to the well-being our 26 First Nations and we want to ensure that our communities adhere to precautionary measures and stay safe. We strongly encourage everyone to stay at home when sick, hand wash/sanitize, practice social distancing and wear a mask to help reduce the risk to others.
We have cancelled Santa Express with great regret. This initiative has been an excellent way of spreading joy and showing care for the children and families in MKO First Nations. We aim to revisit Santa Express next year.
