TERC letter updates restrictions for indoor, outdoor gatherings

Published

Dear Mille Lacs Band Members and Employees,

A little over a year ago, our lives were flipped upside down as we entered into the COVID-19 pandemic. None of us could have anticipated that one year later, we would still be trying to conquer new challenges nor would we have anticipated to what extent this pandemic would impact our lives. But as Mille Lacs Band members and employees, you have risen to the challenges and each new obstacle with respect, perseverance, and support for our fellow employees, our neighbors, our families, and especially our Elders.

The Tribal Emergency Response Committee (TERC) understands that social interaction is important for our mental health and well-being. Effective April 1, the Mille Lacs Band restrictions for indoor and outdoor gatherings will change.
The TERC recommends outdoor gatherings whenever possible but also understands that is not always possible. Below you will find updated restrictions for both indoor and outdoor gatherings.

Indoor Gatherings

• Indoor social gatherings are strongly discouraged but are permitted up to a maximum of 15 people from any number of households. However, members of different households must still maintain six feet of separation from each other. Masks are encouraged. The only time masks do not need to be worn are when all individuals gathering have been fully vaccinated for a minimum of 14 days.
• Providing air ventilation may reduce the concentration of airborne viruses indoors, but by itself will not protect people from COVID-19.
• Public indoor gatherings:
o For seated indoor venues: the venue may operate with an additional 15% of the occupant capacity above 500, with a maximum capacity not to exceed 3,000 for the entire venue (seated venues must have assigned seating, and patrons must remain seated).
o For non-seated indoor venues: the venue may operate with an additional 10% of the capacity above 500, with a maximum capacity not to exceed 1,500 for the entire venue.
o Masks are required and social distancing must be maintained with members outside of the immediate household.
• Individuals who have any symptoms of illness, who are waiting for COVID-19 test results, or who have been identified as a close contact of someone who has COVID-19 should not attend a social gathering, whether outdoors or indoors.

Outdoor gatherings

• Outdoor social gatherings may have a maximum of 50 people from any number of households. Members of different households must maintain six feet of separation from each other. Masks are encouraged.
• For public gatherings, venues with occupant capacity greater than 500 may increase patron count as follows:
o For seated outdoor venues: the venue may operate with an additional 25% of the occupant capacity above 500, with a maximum capacity not to exceed 10,000 for the entire venue (seated venues must have assigned seating, and patrons must remain seated).
o For non-seated outdoor venues: the venue may operate with an additional 15% of the capacity above 500, with a maximum capacity not to exceed 10,000 for the entire venue.
• Individuals who have any symptoms of illness, who are waiting for COVID-19 test results, or who have been identified as a close contact of someone who has COVID-19 should not attend a social gathering, whether outdoors or indoors.
COVID-19 has not gone away. Even if you are fully vaccinated, you must continue to wear a mask, social distance, and wash your hands. There are new variants that spread more easily than the original strain which may lead to more spread, more cases, and more deaths.

Please do not become complacent. We know this has been a long year, but giving up now and feeling secure because you had the vaccine will not help our community. Not everyone has been vaccinated yet. Please watch for further announcements regarding vaccine clinics and remember to follow recommendations and be responsible to ensure you receive your second shot on the date as directed by Public Health.

We hope this significant step will continue to prove beneficial to our communities as we move ahead toward widespread vaccinations.

Miigwech.

Commissioners of the Tribal Emergency Response Committee
Nicole Anderson, Commissioner of Health and Human Services
Baabiitaw Boyd, Commissioner of Administration
Katie Draper, Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources
Joe Nayquonabe Jr., Commissioner of Corporate Affairs
Mel Towle, Commissioner of Finance

Click here for the official signed version of this letter.