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COVID-19 Information for Residents
If you think you may have COVID-19, please immediately complete this resource and then call 811.
The Province Announced new province-wide temporary health measures to help slow the spread of Covid-19.
In accordance with the Covid-19 restriction changes announced by the Province, the Restriction Exemption Program (REP) is no longer in place as of February 9, 2022. The public health measures being taken by the Town align with the new Provincial guidelines, and the REP is no longer in effect to access the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Center, Council Chambers, and the Committee Room. Access to all other Town facilities remains unchanged, as the REP was not required in those buildings.
Provincial Public Health Actions
STEP 1: Effective February 9, 2022
The following changes came into effect at that time, unless otherwise stated:
- Restrictions Exemption Program removed, along with most associated restrictions.
- Capacity limits are extended to all large facilities and entertainment venues (500+), but food and beverage consumption is now allowed in seats.
- Interactive activities, liquor service and operating hour restrictions remain in place for food-serving entities.
- Physical distancing of 2 metres between households is encouraged, operators should facilitate distancing between patrons where possible.
- Mandatory masking requirements removed for:
- children under 13 in all settings as of February 14
- students of any age attending K-12 schools and participating in school activities as of February 14
STEP 2: Effective March 1, 2022
At that time, the following measures will be updated:
- Any remaining school requirements removed (for example: Kindergarten to grade 6 cohorting).
- Youth screening activities for entertainment and sport activities removed.
- Capacity on all large venues and entertainment venues lifted.
- Indoor and outdoor social gathering limits lifted.
- Mandatory work-from-home requirements lifted.
- Provincial mask mandate will be lifted except in high-risk settings, including on public transit, at AHS-operated and contracted facilities, and all continuing care settings.
Click HERE for more information on:
Public health measures will be lifted in 3 stages as the Omicron wave subsidies and pressure on the healthcare system eases. Albertans can help make that possible by getting every vaccine dose they are eligible for.
Alberta will enter Step 1 on February 9 and will progress to the next steps once conditions show our health system's capacity is recovering.
General guidance is available to help Albertans and businesses follow best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For more information click HERE.
Click here: /DocumentCenter/View/10397, /DocumentCenter/View/10398, /DocumentCenter/View/10399.
For Recreation Center specific requirements HERE
If you have any general questions or concerns regarding Covid-19 guidelines, contact info@hinton.ca, for Recreation Center specific guideline inquiries please contact, amceachern@hinton.ca.
The Town of Hinton is acting in the interest of public safety, proactively responding to an evolving worldwide pandemic involving COVID-19. Community health and safety is our priority. We are taking immediate steps to help reduce the risk to our residents, visitors and employees.
Use the toolbar below to navigate Town of Hinton related COVID information and access resources.
- Town Business
- Facility Hours
- Restriction Exemption Program
- Support for Individuals and Businesses
- Prevention Information
- Travelers & Visitors
- Resources & Complaints
The Town of Hinton is currently reviewing how its operations may change due to these new restrictions.
More information coming soon.
Critical and Essential Services Continuing
The Town of Hinton has reopened its buildings to the public, (see Town Facility Hours tab).
The Town has continued to provide essential services throughout the Pandemic. Please continue to place waste containers for pick up in line with your scheduled collection date, and call 780-865-2634 for Infrastructure Services and Parks questions or requests.
For programming information, click the link below.
For a detailed listing of Community Service statuses, please view ComServ
Council Meetings
Hinton Town Council meetings will, at this time, continue in the interest of continued operations. However, they are now occurring remotely via zoom meetings and are being live-streamed on Youtube via Hinton.ca/CouncilLive. Check the Town of Hinton Meetings and Events calendar for links and schedules.
Minute with Council Access
Early in the Town Response to COVID-19, Town Council meetings were moved to remote environments, closed to the public, and streamed online to allow for easy access by residents. However, one aspect of our Council meetings that was lost in this necessary response was Minute with Council.
Traditionally, Residents have been welcomed to speak to Council about issues, events, celebrations, or concerns during Minute with Council. At the beginning of each Council Meeting, the chair of the meeting opens the floor to the public to speak and share with Council members, administration, and meeting observers.
As we determine the "new normal" in this pandemic response, the Town of Hinton has established a procedure to take part in Minute with Council remotely, temporarily, as we prepare for further steps in our reopening plans.
This process is being established to avoid risks of public meeting teleconferencing, such as inappropriate or abusive interjections by anonymous or false identities.
We appreciate your understanding should this cause any inconvenience for you.
Please use this form to receive an invite code to join our proceedings remotely.
Should you encounter difficulty using the form, please call 780-865-6072.
Cemeteries
At this time, new business relating to the Cemetery is encouraged to be handled via your funeral director through to the Town of Hinton, as drop-in meetings are not being accepted by the general public at the Government Centre. Should you wish to meet with the Cemetery staff, please call 780-865-6016 to schedule a meeting.
Emergency Operation Centre (EOC)
The Hinton Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) remains active, receiving guidance from both the Province and Local Agencies on statuses and needs.
The Hinton EOC strongly encourages Hinton residents to comply with the contact tracing, should an individual receive a positive test. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hinshaw said that there has been an increase in Albertans who aren't participating in the contact tracing process. This poses significant risks for other people in the community and increases the chances for community spread of the virus.
Previous Taxes and Utilities Deferment Information
During a Special Meeting of Council held this (April 7, 2020) afternoon, Hinton Town Council took actions that are intended to provide relief to COVID-19 impacted residents.
These actions offer residents the ability to defer payment and penalties for Property Taxes until August 31, 2020, as well as defer payment and penalties for Town utilities for a period of 120 days ending in August 2020.
Learn more in the CivicSend, available here: https://www.hinton.ca/CivicSend/ViewMessage/message/109199, or visit Hinton.ca/Defer
The Town of Hinton is currently reviewing how its operations may change due to these new restrictions.
More information coming soon.
It remains the Town’s goal to provide services in a manner that respects public health restrictions while ensuring a safe environment for Town workers, customers, and visitors alike. Please find below the hours of operations for all Town of Hinton buildings, as well as main contact information. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Protective Services (Firehall & Bylaw Services)
EMERGENCY: ALWAYS CALL 911
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Phone: 780-865-6009
Key Phone Number (fire): 780-865-6089
Key Phone Number Complaint (Bylaw/Peace Officer): 780-865-6009
Key Phone Number (RCMP): 780-865-2455
Government Center
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Corporate Services & CAO
Phone: 780-865-6016
Email: bsirois@hinton.ca
Development Services
Key Phone Number: 780-865-6010
Key Email: development@hinton.ca
The West Fraser Guild (FCSS)
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Phone: 780-865-6036
Email: ccasemore@hinton.ca
Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre
Hours of operation:
Monday - Friday: 6:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Phone: 780-865-4412
Email: recreation@hinton.ca
Library
Hours of operations: Monday – Friday 10:00am – 8:00pm & Saturday 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Phone: 780-865-2363
Email: augboma@hintonlibrary.org
Infrastructure Services
Hours of operations: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Phone: 780-865-2634
RESTRICTION EXEMPTION PROGRAM: No Longer in Effect Immediately
Alberta will enter Step 1 on February 9.
The following changes will come into effect at that time, unless otherwise stated.
- Restrictions Exemption Program removed, along with most associated restrictions.
- Capacity limits in large facilities and entertainment venues (500+) remain in place, but food and beverages now allowed in seats.
- Capacity limits for locations not covered under the REP program are removed.
- Mandatory masking requirements removed for:
- children 12 and under in all settings
Supports for Individuals
For Federal supports, resources, and additional information for individuals click HERE
For Provincial supports, resources, and additional information for individuals click HERE
Friendly Caller Program
In this pandemic event, social connections are more important than ever. But finding them is also more difficult than ever.
That’s why we’ve worked to reorient our Friendly Visitor Program to Friendly Callers! Our application packages are available now! Find the form for callers here, and the form for applicants here. Learn more about the program on the website, available here.
Supports for Businesses
For Federal supports, resources, and additional information for businesses click HERE
For Provincial supports, resources, and additional information for businesses click HERE
Town of Hinton Business Grant Program
The goal of this program is to promote entrepreneurship, business retention, and business recovery during COVID-19. This program hopes to increase the potential of businesses to pivot and reimagine their business models for future success.
To access the application and for more information click the link HERE
Prevention
To help protect you and your family against all respiratory illnesses, including flu and COVID-19, you should:
- Wash your hands often and well
- Avoid touching your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
- Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill
- Contact your primary health provider or Health Link 811 if you have questions or concerns about your health
- When sick, cover your cough and sneezes and then wash your hands
Wearing Medical Masks
Masks can be very important in certain situations. When sick, wearing a mask helps prevent us from passing illnesses on to other people. This is why we ask people who have a cough or respiratory symptoms to wear a mask and wash their hands when visiting an emergency department or clinic.
- If you are sick, wearing a mask helps prevent passing the illness on to other people.
- If you are healthy, medical masks are not recommended as they don’t provide full protection and can create a false sense of security.
- See appropriate infection prevention and control precautions for health-care settings
24/7 Mental Health Referrals and Support Available
The Town of Hinton FCSS wishes to remind all residents that they can call 211 at any time to speak with a live person who can assist in finding a wide array of social supports and referrals, or if a person is feeling stressed or anxious. This free resource is available 24/7 by call or text, with web chat also available by clicking here.
Resources
Province of Alberta COVID Webpage
Province of Alberta - Emergency Management Act
Government of Canada COVID Webpage
World Health Organization COVID Website
Complaints
If you are concerned someone is not following public health orders, you can:
- Remind them that not following orders is against the law and puts people at risk
- Request service from AHS public health inspectors online HERE or call 1-833-415-9179
- Report your concern to the Town of Hinton's Protective Services Department (Bylaw): 780-865-6009