City temporarily cancels all rec and culture programming, enacts other measures

Activation of a City of Red Deer Emergency Operations Centre
Cancellation of City programs in public facilities, including but not limited to, fitness classes, swimming lessons, educational and cultural courses
Closure of hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas
Closure of child minding services at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre and Collicutt Centre
Revised cancellation policies for recreation facility passes, programs and rentals
A shift from in-person to online City of Red Deer public participation and consultation activities
Enhanced cleaning and janitorial services in high traffic areas and touch points
Continued focus on hygiene
Mandatory 14-day isolation period for all City of Red Deer employees who are symptomatic and/or who travelled internationally, effective March 12 at 4:00 p.m.
Activation of a City of Red Deer call centre for residents to make non-emergency inquiries about City policies and facilities (403-342-8111), operation 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until further notice.
The City is in communication and sharing information with contractors operating City facilities (i.e. Heritage Ranch, Museum & Art Gallery, Bower Ponds, and neighbourhood activity centres), however, business decisions remain with those individual operators

“The health and safety of our residents is priority number one,” said Karen Mann, the City’s Situational Monitoring Centre Director. “We know some of these measures may cause frustration and disrupt the routines of individuals and families who engage in in our many programs and services. However, we strongly believe these are necessary steps in minimizing the potential spread of COVID-19 in our community.”

Facilities including the Collicutt Centre, G.H. Dawe Centre, City Hall, downtown RCMP, and Emergency Services Counter Service remain open. However, residents are reminded to NOT go to these venues or any public place if they are feeling ill.

The City is asking citizens to keep in find the following recommendations:

Practice “social distancing”
Use good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing
Avoid touching your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill
Keep at least one metre distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing
Follow good respiratory hygiene; cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze (dispose of the used tissue immediately)

The City’s call centre can be reached at 403-342-8111 and will provide general information about the City’s response. It will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., until further notice.

For more on the City of Red Deer’s response, a Q&A is available.

Alberta Health Services strongly recommends that if you feel ill or believe you are showing symptoms related to COVID-19, to stay home and call Health Link 811. Do not go to a physician’s office or to the hospital. Call 911 if you are seriously ill.

The province has announced it will provide a new update to Albertans at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. rdnewsNOW will make the press conference live stream available on our website.

Red Deer College shared on social media Friday that it is increasing cleaning and sanitizing across campus, and that classes will continue, as opposed to moving to online instruction. Another update may be coming on Saturday.

Burman University in Lacombe announced Friday it would be moving to online teachings only as of Mar. 23.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

City temporarily cancels all rec and culture programming, enacts other measures

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