SUDBURY -- M'Chigeeng First Nation Chief Linda Debassige says the community has noticed a large amount of non-essential traffic coming through its territory and as a result, has implemented a non-essential travel ban.

The move went into effect noon on Saturday, closing off the main highway that goes through M'Chigeeng land.

Data from the checkpoints found there was a large amount of people coming into the territory to do their shopping.

It also found a lot of their own members were travelling to cities like Sudbury and Toronto, places with higher rates of COVID-19 infection.

Until further notice, travel is being restricted in and out of the community.

"We continue to strongly encourage our members to stay home during this time. There are many things we could be doing in our homes and around our homes. This is an unprecedented time that requires unprecedented measures," wrote Chief Debassige in the release.

The community grocery store is hoping for in-store shopping; making it easier for those who live in the community.

"We understand that this will cause much frustration and will create a huge inconvenience to all our citizens and our neighbours, however, the council has determined that the preservation of life and health of our community is the most important and the determining factor of this decision," she added.

A long list of essential travellers has been released by the community.

Essential travel has been deemed anyone travelling for a medical appointment or to access medical services, travelling to their place of employment, travelling for a funeral and anyone with written permission from the chief or deputy chief.

Those that have been deemed non-essential include cottagers, campers, seasonal residents, trailers and RVs, people who want to go fishing, hunting or for outdoor recreation, people visiting friends, family, people going for a drive, people who want to shop in M'Chigeeng and non-essential cross-island traffic.


The UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service had said in a news release earlier this month that they would be working with the check point security workers and enforcing non-compliance border closures.