Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jul 10/98) - It's likely the busiest week in Rankin Inlet this year.

But children under the age of five weren't invited to any of the public events over the last few days. That included the Canada Day celebrations, music festival, and the Benny Hinn crusades.

The hamlet held an emergency meeting last Monday to tell the public that young children wouldn't be permitted to attend any of the public gatherings in an effort to contain the RSV outbreak that forced more than 40 young children to be medevaced to Manitoba from Arviat, Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet in recent weeks.

The ban, which included the arena, Leo Ussak elementary school, Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik high school, youth drop-in centre, and the swimming pool, was ordered July 1 and was expected to continue until July 5.

Hamlet senior administrative officer Robert Janes said that council decided to encourage parents to keep their young children at home on the advice of the health centre.

"The health board thought it enabled some control," he said. "It's not a popular move. Generally people don't want to leave their children out of these events."

Rangers attended the music festival in an effort to enforce the ban on kids under five, but Janes said there were few problems.

"The event was well co-ordinated and so far. Everything has been positive," he said on Friday. The restriction didn't dampen the spirits of those who attended the music festival, though.

"It's been a big success," said Harry Towtongie, one of the volunteers. "We almost sold out -- less than a hundred tickets left."

Organizer Joachim Ayaruak agreed. "It's been great," he said.

More than 800 people attended the opening night of the music festival (which ran July 1 through 4) at the arena to see such long-time favourite performers as Susan Aglukark, Charlie Adams and Paul Iqsaaq of Arviat.