Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has been three months since COVID-19 lockdown. Getting used to the new normal of wearing masks and not able to hug or handshake anymore is a new normal. We have been really fortunate that the fast acting of our communities widespread are extremely lucky that no lives have been lost in the Northwest Territories. All the hard work that our staff have been going through.
Mr. Speaker, I am worried about the people who will become complacent. Today, as a reminder to my constituents of Nunakput and across our territory, not to let your guard down. When it comes to this deadly pandemic, you have to keep social distancing, hand-washing, self-isolating, and if you have to travel, you should be avoiding large crowds, any situation, socially distance yourself, and wearing a mask.
To date, 97,000 Canadians have caught COVID-19. Approximately 8,000 Canadians have lost their lives to this pandemic. Worldwide, over seven million people contracted the virus and 400,000 have died. Now is not the time to be careless. We still are in this pandemic. Experts say there is a chance that there will be a second wave of COVID-19 this fall. There's a risk that the virus could spread to our governments who start to relax restrictions. I encourage the people of Nunakput and across the territory to continue to be careful. Remember, if you've travelled, to isolate yourself, especially if you visit vulnerable children or elders. Keep sanitizing your hands and hand-washing. Keep a good supply of dry goods just in case. Remember, call your local health centre if you feel sick or have a fever. Out there on the land, our summer weather is the best kind of social distancing there is.
I know that there has been some confusion this week around our travel, whether our borders are closed or not. I understand that, if someone wants to come to the NWT, they can, but they have to have an isolation plan. Friends and relatives who want to visit, they need a plan to self-isolate for two weeks when they get here. If not, they shouldn't come at this time. This goes for travelling south. The disease is still out there. Some places have widespread community transmission. Please don't travel if you don't have to. Use caution. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent given