Effective immediately, and until further notice, actions undertaken by POLAR include:
Cancelling all planned visits to the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) campus. This includes the Main Research Building, the Field and Maintenance Building, and the triplex accommodations;
Suspending the use of the CHARS campus public spaces;
Postponing all scheduled outside researcher support services at the CHARS campus;
Suspending all work-related travel for POLAR staff;
Encouraging staff to continue adopting public health measures such as hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and cleaning of frequently used surfaces and objects.
All individuals who are currently scheduled to visit the campus, use the triplexes, or the public spaces will be contacted directly.
Through these measures, POLAR will continue to work with its local partners to help protect the health and safety of its staff as well as community members, Elders and youth in the Cambridge Bay area.
Quotes
"These preventive measures are focused on protecting POLAR's employees and Cambridge Bay residents by limiting the number of outside visitors to the CHARS campus and implementing additional public health measures within the agency. We are committed to working with our local and regional partners to keep everyone safe and providing timely updates in the near future."
David J. Scott
President and Chief Executive Officer, Polar Knowledge Canada
"As the global and local situation evolves, POLAR is taking a measured response to mitigate risk and will continue to actively monitor the coronavirus outbreak and any potential impact to our campus community and local residents. The health and well-being of our employees, local residents, researchers and partners is POLAR's top priority."
Richard Boudreault
Chair, Board of Directors, Polar Knowledge Canada
