By Élizabeth Séguin
With information from Karl Gagné-Côté
The public health of the North Shore says it is concerned about controlling the comings and goings of permanent non-resident workers (PNR) who commute in the mining companies of Fermont.
The medical consultant in public health at the Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) of the Côte-Nord, Dr. Richard Fachehoun, expressed his concern about the non-compliance with the measures in place by some of these workers in Fermont and wishes to resume discussions with the partners involved on this subject:
Extract – Dr. Richard Fachehoun – Control measures in mining
Remember that last October, the public health of the Côte-Nord recognized that the management of the comings and goings of permanent non-resident workers in the community of Fermont is complex since it is difficult to really identify the region of origin of the employees when they mingle with the population.
According to the agreement between the mining companies located in Fermont and the CISSS de la Côte-Nord, workers from regions at the red alert level must comply with Fermont the same restrictions that apply in their region. For example, they should not frequent a bar or restaurant dining room, or visit friends or family in the area. On the other hand, they can go to the grocery store by respecting the measures including hand washing, wearing a face covering and respecting physical distancing.
The medical adviser in public health made it clear that the majority of COVID-19 cases reported on the Côte-Nord in this second wave were observed on residents who contracted the virus outside the region and that workplace measures are in place to prevent transmission of:
Extract – Dr. Richard Fachehoun – Fewer cases in the workplace
Little impact on mining activities at Fermont
The director of communications at ArcelorMittal Mining Canada, indicated by email to CFMF 103.1 that the announcements made by the Government of Quebec regarding the holiday season would not have repercussions in mining operations: “Following the new measures announced by the government, the obligation of teleworking applies to office staff of mining companies, unless their presence is essential for the proper functioning of the mine. Our mining operations are continuing while respecting all the measures already in place, particularly with regard to permanent non-resident workers (PNR). The measures announced yesterday therefore have no impact at this level since a very strict protocol is already in place. Also, we carry out frequent reminders as to the preventive measures to be respected and we strictly apply all the recommendations and instructions of the Public Health, both for the PNRs and for the residents who leave the region and who return there, ” wrote Mme Paré.
At the time of this writing, Champion Iron had still not answered CFMF 103.1’s question as to whether the new restrictions in effect for the coming weeks would have an effect on the arrival of non-resident workers at Fermont. .
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