After what Oneida Chief Jessica Hill described as “thousands of people” trying to come purchase supplies, the reserve has decided to close its doors to protect residents from COVID-19.
Hill said they were initially planning to close the reserve at midnight Sunday to those who don’t live there but have had to take immediate action after the influx of people. “There are so many people that it is going to be unsafe for people to come because we won’t be able to ensure social distancing,” Hill said. “The people coming here are not practising social distancing; they are standing in crowds panicking.” Chief Hill said the line to get into the reserve is so long that people won’t be able to get onto the shops by midnight anyways.