It turns out you can go back again.

Under an unprecedented, exploding COVID-19 case load, the Yukon government has backtracked and suddenly reinstated a state of emergency to help handle the outbreak. It could last up to 90 days.

The new restrictions are slated to go into effect this Saturday, but Yukoners are being urged to take immediate steps to follow them.

“In the past three days, more than 80 cases of COVID-19 have been reported by the Yukon’s acting chief medical officer of health (Dr. Catherine Elliott), bringing the total number of active cases in the Yukon to 169,” stated a news release issued Monday evening.

“In response to this significant surge in COVID-19 cases in the territory and widespread community transmission in Whitehorse, the Government of Yukon is declaring a state of emergency under the Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA) effective immediately.

“Declaring a state of emergency will allow the Government of Yukon to quickly implement new temporary measures recommended by the acting chief medical officer of health to rapidly decrease transmission and ensure the territory’s health care capacity is not overwhelmed.”

The sources of more than half the latest cases are not known.

The new measures include:

• Mandatory masking in all indoor public settings and in outdoor public settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

• Limits on personal gatherings to 10 people from a maximum of two households if all eligible people are vaccinated; household members only if any eligible people are unvaccinated.

• Limits on organized gatherings, including conferences and weddings: indoor gatherings limited to 25 individuals with proof of vaccination required; outdoor gatherings limited to 50 individuals.

• Limits on seated ticketed events, including arts and sporting events: maximum 50 per cent of venue capacity with proof of vaccination required; seating limited to individual households with physical distancing between households.

• Limits on faith-based and cultural gatherings: maximum 50 per cent of venue capacity with proof of vaccination required; seating limited to individual households with physical distancing between households.

• Restrictions on restaurants, bars and nightclubs: proof of vaccination required for table service with a limit of six individuals per table; no counter service, no moving between tables and no dancing.

• Restrictions on gyms, fitness and yoga studios and classes: high intensity classes are suspended; proof of vaccination required for low intensity classes and organized sports.

• Restrictions on personal services: proof of vaccination required.

• Limits on other indoor public spaces: maximum 50 per cent of venue capacity.

• Individual workplaces may be required to temporarily close under Elliott’s direction.

“Yukoners are strongly encouraged to follow these new measures immediately and they will be enforced under CEMA starting on Nov. 13,” the government said.

The new measures will be in place until at least Dec. 3.

The government is moving rapidly to implement the proof of vaccination requirement for designated settings to align with Elliott’s new recommendations.

As of the coming Saturday, individuals will be required to provide proof that they have received two doses of an approved vaccine to access a designated setting.

The list of designated settings is being finalized and will be made public before Saturday.

Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn, who is responsible for co-ordinating the emergency state order, was not made available to the Star this morning. He planned to address the legislature this afternoon.

A COVID outbreak has been declared at École Whitehorse Elementary School, and exposure alerts have been issued for numerous schools around the territory over the past couple of weeks.

Despite more unvaccinated youngsters getting sick, Elliott is counselling that schools remain open with the following additional measures:

• Students wear masks when in classrooms and seated at their desks; and

• Activities between schools are suspended until further notice.

Masks are currently required in all indoor school settings outside the classroom, including common areas and hallways.

With the new recommendations, masks will now be required at all times inside schools.

Yukon communities are at significant risk from the current case activity, the government said. Elliott is recommending that travel among communities, and between communities and Whitehorse, be avoided until further notice.

“We are seeing a resurgence of COVID-19 in the territory and we need to take immediate action to protect the health and safety of Yukoners,” said Premier Sandy Silver.

“Declaring a state of emergency and introducing new temporary measures will help limit the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the strain on our health care system.

“All Yukoners have a role to play in keeping our communities safe,” the premier added.

“Following the safe six, masking up, and getting vaccinated are steps you can take to protect your friends, families and neighbours.”

“We are seeing dramatic increases in COVID-19 spread in Yukon and need to take strong measures to prevent further transmission,” added Elliott.

“We need to pull together now to prevent severe illness from COVID-19 and protect our health care system.”

She told CBC Yukon this morning that half of the recent rash of cases involve unvaccinated people.

Seven people have been hospitalized for the virus this month, an increase from October, and one patient has been medevaced to a provincial hospital, she said.

The vaccine clinic in Whitehorse is located at the Yukon Convention Centre on Fourth Avenue.

Vaccines are also available in all Yukon communities at local health centres.

Until further notice, health care staff are not accepting appointments for those 50 and older seeking a third booster dose of Moderna.