The Town of Okotoks is taking the necessary steps after Premier Jason Kenney declared on March 17 a public health emergency in Alberta as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mass gatherings are limited to no more than 50 attendees.This includes places of worship, funerals and weddings, where Albertans must ensure appropriate social distancing and other sanitization practices.This does not include grocery stores, shopping centres, health care facilities, and other essential services.
Any other organized gatherings of more than 50 people must be cancelled immediately.
Albertans are also banned from public places like casinos, bingo halls, bars and nightclubs, theatres, children’s play centres, recreation centres and arenas, science centres, museums and art galleries, community centres, fitness facilities, and private entertainment facilities, such as movie theatres.
To support these new measures, the Town is closing the museum and art gallery and independent galleries must also close, effective immediately. Additionally, all bars and pubs who do not serve minors must be closed.
While the municipality’s doors will remain open to the public, the Town is asking all citizens to respect the public health directive by utilizing the online or telephone services.
“The Town has been very proactive in responding to this crisis in decreasing the risk of transmission and protecting the health and safety of our community,” said Kelly Stienwand, Okotoks’ director of emergency management in a prepared statement. “We appreciate that these measures will have a negative effect on our local businesses and on our residents’ daily lives, but we strongly believe these are necessary steps to protect our citizens and help us to support the efforts of the Alberta Government during this public health crisis.”
Residents are urged to visit the Alberta Health Services website for the most up–to-date information. Additional information is also available on the Alberta Government website including a self-assessment tool and new information for airline passengers, travellers, and employers.
Continued updates will be published on the Town of Okotoks website at www.okotoks.ca/COVID-19.
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