First Nations in Ontario's northwest restrict travel, some in lockdown over Omicron concerns

First Nations in northwestern Ontario are locking down as the Omicron variant and a rise of COVID-19 cases begin to pose a threat to dozens of northern communities.

The regional lockdown was implemented Thursday after 33 First Nation chiefs passed a resolution aimed at restricting travel in and out of communities.

The resolution also looks to ramp up support and co-ordination among various partners to aid in pandemic responses, and preserve the already limited resources in some communities.

“A small remote First Nations community, when they have … an outbreak of COVID at the community level can really cripple a community in terms