City of Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer. (City of Red Deer)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

april 6 update

City of Red Deer offers residents update on Emergency Operations Centre

Apr 6, 2020 | 6:56 PM

The City of Red Deer gave residents an update Monday night on its ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Tara Veer and Emergency Operations Centre Director Karen Mann gave briefings and answered questions from residents watching on Facebook.

Highlights:

1) Enforcement of seasonal parking of RVs and trailers has been suspended

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Residents are still reminded to not park near fire hydrants, to be safe when using propane, and to not dump in the storm drain. The City acknowledges that many people are using their RVs and trailers to self-isolate and physical distance.

2) Community gardens cancelled

The City of Red Deer says the decision was a difficult one knowing how popular the program is, but it was based on the best information available.

RELATED: Red Deer’s Garden Plot Program closed for 2020 due to pandemic

3) Event permits cancelled up until June 30

The City is not issuing any event permits for events up to and including June 30, and existing permits have been cancelled. Holders have been notified.

The most noteworthy event impacted by this is the Red Deer Market which typically starts up in May.

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4) Community parks, trails, dog parks remain open

The City of Red Deer urges residents that when using these areas to practice social distancing

5) What to do if you see a person or persons not abiding by a provincial health order

Report HERE.

6) How has the City responded to federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair’s recommendations for correctional institutions to consider the release of some inmates?

RELATED: Consider releasing some inmates to stem COVID-19 in prisons, minister requests

Mayor Tara Veer says she has issued a letter to Minister Blair expressing the City’s “grave concern” on this issue, and advising that local agencies have limited capacity to deal with an influx of offenders in the community.

Veer added that the letter asks the Public Safety Minister to come up with other means of ensuring inmates can physical distance and self-isolate without being released from an institution.