While many people are missing family visits and gatherings and are spending time only with members of their immediate households this holiday season based on advice from public health and provincial officials, Simcoe County Warden George Cornell is visiting family in Yukon Territory.
Cornell, who is also mayor of Tiny Township, and his wife Sandy travelled to Whitehorse earlier in December, prior to the Dec. 26 provincial lockdown, to visit their daughter.
“We chose to travel to the Yukon after weighing all factors carefully to ensure it was truly necessary and could be done safely,” said Cornell when contacted by BarrieToday. “Our trip has been personal in nature as our daughter and her partner are living alone in the Yukon and our daughter is with a high-risk pregnancy.
“After extensive personal deliberation and reflection, it was our determination that as parents we both needed to be – and wanted to be – with them in order to assist in the care of our grandchild at this important time of life,” he added.
Federally, there are currently no specific restrictions for inter-provincial travel to and from Quebec and Ontario, though the situation is evolving rapidly.
Yukon has no travel restrictions, but there are self-isolation requirements. Everyone entering the northern territory must self-isolate for 14 days.
Ontario’s chief medical officer of health has strongly advised that individuals and families only travel out of the province if it is essential, and self-isolate for 14 days when arriving in or returning to Ontario.
Cornell says he and his wife have followed every safety protocol, including filing and seeking approval of a quarantine plan with the Yukon government.
“Upon return to Ontario, we will also appropriately quarantine with food and supplies delivery so that we do not jeopardize Ontario residents,” he said.
Although Cornell says he has taken the time away as vacation days, he says his role as both mayor and warden have also been maintained through virtual connectivity.
“Safety has been at the forefront of every decision we made as parents; safety for local residents, safety for Yukon residents, safety for our family, and safety for travel. Because we feel this was a necessary life moment and could be done safely, it was our decision to continue,” he said.
“While we understand some people may not agree with our decision, we feel the circumstances with a high-risk pregnancy warranted the safe travel," Cornell added.
