While La Ronge, Sask., initially received an exemption from the travel ban blanketing the north due to COVID-19, Councillor Jordan McPhail says council is going to be asking the province to include the town in travel restrictions after all.
They'll also be asking the province to provide data on how many travellers are being let through or being turned away from the checkpoints.
McPhail had previously pointed out that once people were past the initial checkpoint, there would be no way to enforce travel between the communities in the area.
"People have caught on in the event that they're getting to a check stop they're allowed to say that, 'I'm just going to La Ronge,' and with the exemption in place it doesn't matter whether they're really going to Air Ronge, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. ...
"It's created a bit of a loophole."
Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency said in a statement that people travelling to or from the Town of La Ronge or Stony Rapids are not allowed to stop in any other communities in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District.
The penalty for disobeying a public health order is $2,000 for individuals and $75,000 for businesses, the agency said.
McPhail voted against the motion asking for an exemption from the travel ban.
He said he wants the community's leadership to focus on the vulnerable in the community.
"My sole concern is the people that are living in overcrowded housing and not necessarily the people that are trying to access their home away from home."
Vast distances and low population
Matt Klassen, the head of a cottage owners-group and a town councillor in La Ronge, said earlier this week that the travel ban doesn't take into account the vast distances and low population in the north.
Klassen said he doesn't think a travel ban is necessary because there have been no recorded cases in the La Ronge area.
McPhail said the travel restrictions would still allow local people to go to their cabins.
"Really, this is advocating for a very select few," McPhail said.
On Sunday, the La Ronge council was set to meet with the government to discuss the checkpoint, and McPhail said he hoped neighbouring communities would be joining the call.
