They answered to the government's call for assistance amid the pandemic
As an expression of gratitude, the Nunavut government has announced that it is extending a "Thank You" bonus to childcare facilities that reopened to children of critical industry workers amid the pandemic.
The provincial government announced that each childcare facility that reopened to take care of children of frontline workers who had no choice but to work will receive a $5,000 bonus from the Department of Education.
In addition, every employee of the facility that reported to work will be receiving a one-time $1,000 thank you bonus.
Premier P.J. Akeeagok said that day cares and childcare workers were "instrumental" in supporting critical workers during the latest pandemic wave.
These facilities and workers were asked to reopen and report to work to take care of the children of critical workers who had to help the government in dealing with the recent wave of COVID-19.
"I want to thank them for responding to our urgent call for childcare services during this wave of COVID-19 – by keeping their doors open they ensured that front line workers such as nurses could report to work," said Akeeagok in a statement.
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Education Minister Pamela Gross also said that she wants to personally thank each childcare facility and its employees for their willingness and responding to the government's call.
"They played a huge role in supporting our essential services during these challenging times, and I appreciate their commitment to children of critical industry workers and our communities," said the minister.
Nunavut on March 17 extended the public health emergency in the province in response to recent COVID-19 cases.
This means that masks remain mandatory across the province, but select businesses are allowed to accommodate 50% of their capacity.
According to the provincial government, failure to comply for businesses would mean a $2,875 fine for them for breaching the Public Health Act.
"We will be decisive in our approach, but cautious in our choices. We will gradually work to reducing and eventually eliminate public health measures and the public health emergency. We will move forward and navigate the same way we always have – together," said the provincial government in its website.
