City of Edmonton
City introduces new measures to combat COVID-1
City introduces new measures to combat COVID-19
October 15, 2020
The City is introducing additional measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 and help protect the people of Edmonton, in response to the voluntary health restrictions introduced in the Edmonton Health Zone by the province.
“We continue to be concerned by the continuing increase in case numbers. We need all Edmontonians to adhere to the health precautions and practise them daily to prevent COVID-19 case numbers from increasing any further,” said Interim City Manager Adam Laughlin. “As the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, we will not let it wear down our resolve to protect our city, including our most vulnerable community members.”
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, announced new voluntary restrictions in Edmonton last week. The City’s response includes enhanced measures in recreation facilities, additional monitoring and enforcement of public compliance to health and safety rules, and adjustments to ETS service levels and cleaning protocols.
“While we haven’t seen it reflected in case numbers yet, we trust Edmontonians are getting the message,” said Laughlin. “Compliance with mask wearing is strong. I trust that Edmontonians will adopt the City’s adjusted measures with the same spirit of shared responsibility. We’ve already heard from some sports organizations who are willing to help us spread the word about new protocols at arenas. By working together, we can tackle the rising case numbers and contain the spread of COVID-19.”
Recreation Facilities
The City will make a number of enhancements to protocols and guidelines in recreation facilities and arenas.
- There will be no spectator access in areas without designated spectator seating, such as field houses, gyms and most pools.
- In facilities with designated, controlled spectator areas, like arenas, 25 percent of regular seating capacity will be allowed (up to 50 spectators, 100 in larger arenas). New capacity figures have been posted to arena websites.
- No social event rentals (parties, reunions) or picnic site bookings will be allowed for the remainder of 2020 to discourage larger social gatherings.
- Capacity for other indoor bookings and rentals, such as business meetings, has been reduced to 25 per cent of normal room capacity to a maximum of 50 people.
- Increased security and crowd monitoring will be implemented at facilities to ensure safety protocols are being followed.
Edmonton Transit Service
New measures adopted by ETS include:
- Adjustments to ETS service levels, including school service, to support physical distancing and gathering restrictions.
- Revised sales channels for low income transit pass sales that reduce the need for in- person contact.
- Same-day cleaning and disinfecting of bus shelters located near schools when notified of a school outbreak.
Temporary Pandemic Accommodation
Preparations are underway for the use of the Edmonton Convention Centre as a temporary pandemic accommodation for individuals experiencing homelessness. People who stay at the convention centre will have a safe, warm place to sleep, receive daily meals and access storage, washrooms, shower facilities and culturally appropriate health, wellness and housing supports. The space is expected to open on October 30 and will scale up week by week to reach a 300-bed capacity and to provide a full spectrum of services.
The City is working with organizers of Camp Pekiwewin to ensure safe, suitable accommodation like the Edmonton Convention Centre for those staying at the camp. An end date for the camp is linked to the activation and full operational setup of the temporary pandemic accommodation.
Read more on Todayville.
Alberta
Province forms Edmonton Public Safety Cabinet Committee in response to homeless encampment crisis
Edmonton encampments: Deputy Premier Ellis
Deputy Premier Mike Ellis issued the below statement in response to Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi’s announcement of his intention to declare an emergency:
“In November, Premier Danielle Smith ordered that an emergency cabinet committee be created and convened in response to the issue of crime and gang-related activity within encampments across the City of Edmonton.
“Alberta’s government cares deeply about vulnerable Edmontonians and we will always ensure that anyone who wants shelter and supportive services will receive it. However, we will not stand by and watch as vulnerable Albertans and the general public continue to be extorted, taken advantage of and killed by gangsters and deadly drugs.
“The Edmonton Public Safety Cabinet Committee (EPSCC) is comprised of ministers from departments that oversee operations and/or administer programs that promote public safety and support the transition of Edmonton-based encampment residents into safe, secure and appropriate arrangements.
“The cabinet committee membership includes:
- Danielle Smith, Premier (chair)
- Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice
- Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services
- Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health
- Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs
- Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services
- Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services
- Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction
- Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations
“Also sworn into the committee are:
- Cody Thomas, Grand Chief, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
- Dale McPhee, Chief, Edmonton Police Service
“This committee has met continuously since its initial meeting on Nov. 29, 2023, to plan a joint response. Our government is working on an action plan alongside Alberta Health Services, Edmonton Police Service, the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations and several departments from the City of Edmonton, including Edmonton Fire Rescue Services.
“Our government will continue to respond to these issues following the expected court decision on Jan. 16, no matter the outcome. We will have a more detailed statement regarding this response once the court decision is made.”
Additional quotes
“It is dangerous for the mayor and others to continue to suggest that vulnerable Albertans do not have anywhere to turn. This is false and will lead to more folks choosing not to seek out shelter because they fear they’ll be turned away. I have said before and will continue to say: there is safe space in shelters around the city and nobody will be turned away. We have more than enough room for every homeless person in the city of Edmonton to have a warm, safe place to stay. It is completely inappropriate and dangerous for the mayor, or anyone, to suggest Edmonton is out of capacity in our social services sector or our emergency shelter systems. Anyone needing shelter space will be kept care of.”
Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services
“I have been working and will continue to work diligently alongside the provincial government, in the spirit of reconciliation, for months on the serious action that is needed to get all people off the streets, including First Nations people. Encampments are not a safe place and letting people overdose and freeze in the cold is not reconciliation.”
Cody Thomas, Grand Chief, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
Alberta
City of Edmonton shuts down eighth homeless encampment after insuring space for occupants in warm shelters
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