By rdnewsNOW staff

Taking Precautions

Town Office in Ponoka remains “Open for Business”

Mar 19, 2020 | 9:46 AM

The Town Office in Ponoka will remain open for now despite the coronavirus pandemic, but the Ponoka Civic Centre will be closed to public access until further notice.

Town officials say the changes are in response to provincial directives to minimize face-to-face contact with others in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

“We are just asking citizens to do business with us in different ways – by phone, email, fax and online – to help us ensure the safety and wellness of our citizens and Town staff,” says Town of Ponoka Chief Administrative Officer Albert Flootman, in a release.

Citizens who have questions or concerns they would like to pass on to the Town are asked to contact the Town Office by phone at 403-783-4431, by email at Town@ponoka.ca, or by fax at 403-783-6745.

Citizens are also encouraged to mail in bill payments, pay online through their bank, or pay by credit card by using the credit card payment slip available at www.ponoka.ca or by phoning the Town at 403-783-4431. Late payment penalties will not be applied to payments due this month.

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However, officials say Town staff are continuing to ensure the ongoing delivery of essential Town services, including clean drinking water, waste water treatment, electrical services, curbside waste collection and solid waste management.

“It’s business as usual at the Town in terms of daily operations,” added Flootman. “The only difference right now is how we interact with the public in keeping with provincial health directives.”

Flootman asks residents to avoid approaching Town staff who may be out working in the community as per provincial recommendations around preventing the spread of COVID-19 through social distancing.

Outdoor recreation facilities such as the skating trail in Lions Centennial Park and walking trails throughout the community continue to be maintained by Town staff. Cross country ski trails are also available at the Ponoka Golf Club.

To help ensure the safety and wellness of Ponoka citizens and to minimize the spread of illness, the Town has implemented the following steps:

· The Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex (Arena) is closed for the season (two weeks earlier than initially scheduled).

· The Ponoka Aquaplex is closed to the public and all Aquaplex-related programming is cancelled until further notice.

In addition to safety-related measures being taken by the Town, citizens are encouraged to protect themselves and others against the spread of illness by doing the following:

· Use good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing or use hand sanitizer when you can’t wash your hands with warm, soapy water

· Cover coughs and sneezes using your elbow, shoulder or a tissue

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

· Stay at home and away from others as much as possible

· Contact your primary health care provider or Health Link 811 if you have questions or concerns about your health.

For more information on how to protect yourself, visit www.alberta.ca/COVID19.