One person has been charged with failing to self-isolate after travel under the Civil Emergency Measures Act, while the Yukon has no new cases of COVID-19 and is relaxing treatment restrictions at hospitals.

Tracy-Anne McPhee, the minister of Justice, said Friday afternoon the charges were laid the previous day for an alleged offence occurring in mid- to late-April in Whitehorse.

The minister was unable to give further details, as they are now evidence before the court.

McPhee provided this information alongside a COVID-19 update from Dr. Brendan Hanley, the chief medical officer.

According to Hanley, all 11 of the territory’s COVID-19 cases are now listed as recovered.

It’s been two weeks since the last case was discovered. As well, there continues to be no known community spread in the territory, meaning a case unrelated to travel or untraceable to another known case.

Hanley urged Yukoners to remain vigilant in physical distancing recommendations, while the territory works on a plan for reopening.

He noted that retail stores were never under closure orders and will begin to reopen on their own volition.

He said the Yukon’s farmers’ markets are also preparing to open with safety guidelines.

“Life will not go back to what it was before for a long time, but we will get some of our normal back,” Hanley said.

The Yukon’s hospitals will now increase some of the non-urgent services that were suspended in the last month.

These services include elective surgeries, non-urgent blood work, x-rays, imaging tests, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and appointments with visiting specialists.

Hospitals will provide these treatments by appointment only, to enable physical distancing and protect workers and vulnerable populations.

Those waiting for treatment will be contacted by hospital staff for booking information.

All visitors to Yukon hospitals will be screened for risk of infection at the entrances.

As the territory slowly relaxes restrictions, Hanley urged Yukoners not to compare the territory’s plan with other jurisdictions that are seeing more expansive reopening measures (see related coverage, p. 8).

He noted that many other jurisdictions had more drastic measures in place than the Yukon required, making the relaxation of those policies appear more extreme. He said the Yukon is actually ahead of those places in reopening.

“When our neighbours to the south and east open up, their first phase will be catching up to where we are now in terms of restrictions,” Hanley said.

“We want to take a calm and measured approach to reopening the territory.”

Hanley said more details will be available each week.

“We want to take incremental steps and, if it’s fine and we don’t see more disease, then walk in a little deeper,” Hanley said.

“The worst thing would be that if we open up, see a resurgence of the disease within the territory and have to shut down again, just after folks have tasted a little bit of freedom.”

Hanley said he is cognizant of the toll physical distancing is taking on the relationships and mental health of Yukoners.

The territorial government issued a press release Friday reminding Yukoners that mental health services are available by phone.

“Feeling afraid, worried or stressed are normal in a crisis and with all the change that COVID-19 has brought to our lives, so is feeling we’re no longer in control and grieving for what we have lost,” the release stated.

“Reaching out for extra mental health support is a sign of strength.”

Yukoners are invited to call Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services or the Canadian Mental Health Association for phone counselling appointments.

McPhee also announced three new ministerial orders under the Civil Emergency Measures Act.

They create allowances for court proceedings and give deputy ministers the power to alter contracts during the pandemic. These measures are only for timelines set out in Yukon law.

“These orders are specifically designed to help Yukoners during this challenging time,” McPhee said.

The order suspends limitation periods for civil and family actions that would have expired during the state of emergency, or within 30 days after the state of emergency ends. This extension also applies to the initiation of prosecutions.

This order allows judges to waive, suspend or extend the time periods, as necessary, for up to 90 days following the state of emergency.

There is also a 30-day extension on affidavits or statutory declarations that would normally have been due during the state of emergency, or 10 days afterward.

Deputy ministers have the power to specify whether these extensions apply to affidavits or statutory declarations.

“We recognize that individuals, businesses, governments and others may not be able to meet certain legislated timelines and contractual obligations in light of the current emergency,” said McPhee.

The extensions are intended to provide relief for individuals who fall ill, are required to self-isolate or are facing challenging financial situations.

The new order also provides new authorities to deputy ministers.

During the state of emergency, deputy ministers can now alter the terms of government contracts; extend leases, licences and certificates; permits; and legislative timelines.

These items may be extended for up to 90 days after the state of emergency ends.

Patricia Rendell, the director of Justice communications, told the Star this morning that these adjustments intend to protect Yukoners’ right to access the courts for civil and family matters.

“The order does not specify any changes to court processes, it is strictly intended to provide additional time,” Rendell said in an email.

The additional authority given to deputy ministers will provide greater flexibility in responding to the pandemic in a timely manner, Rendell said.

“The use of this authority is limited and may only be applied in response to the COVID-19 pandemic where the impacts are creating a temporary need for change.”