Update December 9, 2020
New COVID-19 restrictions were announced late yesterday afternoon by the
province that will be in effect for at least 4 weeks. As a municipality
the Town of Sundre has little to no input in the rules and regulations
the province passes in response to the Provincial State of Public Health
Emergency and their response to COVID-19. To date, the Sundre area
(including Bearberry, Fallen Timber, Eagle Hill and more) has seen 9
confirmed cases of COVID-19. This number speaks to the care and
adherence to the rules that our community has taken. Local businesses
have been impacted hard and we can continue to support those businesses
permitted to stay open as long as the current rules and restrictions are
followed. Everyone is feeling the impact at home on their families and
at work. Local merchants and business people, town staff, emergency
services, store employees and your neighbors are all being affected by
COVID and the restrictions in place. Some are scared and concerned,
others are confused and some may seem not to care at all. Regardless of
your opinion or thoughts on the subject we need to respect one another
and continue to care about each other’s health and safety. Furthermore,
the Province has passed Public Health Orders we must comply with or face
a fine of $1,000 or more. Local Law Enforcement does not want to be the
Grinch to your Holiday Season and they did not make the rules but they
will enforce them if necessary.
A full list of the restrictions and further information is available on the province’s website at https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx
Here is a summary of the newly announced restrictions.
Restrictions announced Yesterday that took effect immediately are:
- All indoor and outdoor social gatherings are prohibited. This will be enforced with $1,000 fines.
- Masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces and workplaces. (How to safely put on a mask)
- All places of worship will be limited to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy for in-person attendance.
- Virtual or online services are strongly encouraged.
- Drive-in services where individuals do not leave their vehicles and adhere to guidance will be permissible and are not subject to capacity restrictions.
- Mandatory mask mandate, physical distancing and other guidelines remain in place.
- Retail services must reduce customer capacity to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy, with a minimum of five customers permitted.
- Curbside pickup, delivery and online services are encouraged.
- Shopping malls will be limited to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy.
- Restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes will be closed to in-person service.
- Only takeout, curbside pickup and delivery services are permitted.
- Casinos, bingo halls, gaming entertainment centres, racing entertainment centres, horse tracks, raceways, bowling alleys, pool halls, legions, and private clubs will be closed.
- Recreational facilities – fitness centres, recreation centres, pools, spas, gyms, studios, day and overnight camps, indoor rinks and arenas – will be closed.
- Outdoor recreation is permitted, but facilities with indoor spaces except for washrooms will be closed.
- Entertainment businesses and entities – libraries, science centres, interpretive centres, museums, galleries, amusement parks and water parks – will be closed.
- Hotels may remain open but must follow restrictions – no spas, pools or in-person dining. Room services only.
- Personal and wellness services, including hair salons, nail salons, massage, tattoos, and piercing, will be closed.
- Mandatory work from home measures will be implemented unless the employer determines that work requires a physical presence for operational effectiveness
- Entertainment businesses and entities – community halls and centres, indoor children's play centres and indoor playgrounds, theatres, auditoriums, concert halls, and community theatres, nightclubs, banquet halls and conference centres, indoor and outdoor festivals, concerts with the exception of drive-in events, tradeshows, and sporting events or competitions, remain closed.
Thank you,
Sundre Emergency Management