ToH Logo

COVID-19 Status Update

May 01, 2020 
To aid in resident's understanding of Hinton Emergency Operation Centre, Hinton Town Council, and Town of Hinton Administration responses to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic event, this update gathers recent news into one document. While emergent issues and information will continue to be shared as necessary, weekly updates going forward will use this format to gather, but also distinguish between, actions in place in the community. 

Physical Distancing and Cleaning Practices Must Continue

It is essential that residents and businesses understand that suppression activities, in particular maintaining safe distances, must be maintained.

If not maintained, transmission will rapidly rebound, potentially producing an epidemic comparable in scale to what would have been seen had no interventions been adopted.

The Town, and Province, need your help to continue to restrict your activities in the interest of community health. Distancing, hand washing, and sanitizing is absolutely crucial.

Please be advised that mandatory physical distancing under the Provincial Public Health Order will continue to be enforced in Hinton. Those who choose not to comply with this may be fined.

We are all in this together, in the effort of protecting our most vulnerable. 

Hinton Emergency Operations Centre

Stage One of Reopening Now in Place
Following observed compliance from residents and decision made at the Provincial level yesterday, the Emergency Operations Centre has made the decision to speed up stage one of our local SOLE recovery plan. 

Group Restriction Removed
The group restriction of 5 in place locally as part of our State of Local Emergency has been removed. The Provincial limit of 15 with social distancing in place remains in effect, and will be enforced. 

Parking Lots Reopening
The Provincial Operations Centre has determined that reopening the Municipal Park parking is an acceptable level of risk. Users looking to access green spaces are now welcome to park in the parking lots, with a recommendation to leave one parking space distance between vehicles. Group limitations, and physical distancing, will remain in affect. This change is intended to enable residents to exercise in green spaces - it is not intended to in any way encourage large group gatherings in green spaces. 

This change does not open:

  • any connecting structures or facilities to these parks,
  • playground structures,
  • any other closures not explicitly listed below 
Disc Golf and Mountain Bike Park Reopening
The Town of Hinton Emergency Operations Centre has been in communication with the Disc Golf Society to coordinate a reopening based on their previously provided plan. 

The Mountain Bike Skills Park closure has also been removed for our State of Local Emergency. 

These outdoor spaces are all considered "use at your own risk". No cleaning parameters are being maintained by the Town of Hinton. Please observe physical distancing, and keep all pets on leash.

Safe Use of Public Paths and Spaces 
When using public paths and trails residents are urged to pass off path, prioritizing travel of those who need more stable footing wherever necessary while maintaining social distancing.

Why is the SOLE Remaining?
Protecting our citizens’ and employees’ health during the COVID-19 pandemic is our priority. As such we have been following the advice of both the Federal and Provincial Medical Health Officers. We have taken effective measures based on Alberta Health Services direction and the response of similar neighbouring communities to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Hinton and we are playing our part within the Yellowhead County Region. Keeping the SOLE in place enables us to quickly respond and react to emerging scenarios that may occur as restrictions are removed. 
 
Reminder: Dogs On-leash
At this time, all sidewalks and trails within Town limits are considered on-leash for animals and signage indicating where pets may be off-leash have been removed. The use of a leash is an effective way to maintain appropriate physical distancing, as the interaction between pets and people is prevented. Should you have complaints or concerns regarding animals off-leash, please contact Bylaw at 780-865-6009. 

Learn more on the SOLE webpage here, or announcement CivicSend here.

Thank You
Thank you to all Hinton residents for their compliance. Your continued compliance helps make the impact to not just local health infrastructure, but provincial and national resources, as manageable as possible. 

As a reminder, the Town of Hinton is not able to lessen, or remove, any restrictions imposed as part of the Province's state of Public Health Emergency. View the restrictions from the province via the links to the province available below. 

Hinton Town Council

No new update since yesterday. 

Town of Hinton Administration

No new update since yesterday. 

Learn More

The next scheduled COVID-19 related update is Thursday, May 7, 2020. 

Town of Hinton Previous Update (April 30, 2020)
Town of Hinton Previous Update (April 23, 2020)
Town of Hinton Previous Update (April 16, 2020)

Town of Hinton Previous Update (April 09, 2020)
Town of Hinton COVID Webpage
Town of Hinton Defer Webpage
Town of Hinton SOLE Webpage
Province of Alberta COVID Webpage
Province of Alberta - Emergency Management Act
Government of Canada COVID Webpage
World Health Organization COVID Website

Questions

Residents with questions are asked to contact info@hinton.ca. Responses may be delayed due to EOC needs.

Members of local media with questions are asked to use the Public Information Officer contact information by clicking here or call 780-865-6001 and leave a message. Messages regarding PIO response will be returned within one business day. 

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email

Copyright © 2019 Town of Hinton. All Rights Reserved.
131 Civic Centre Rd Hinton, AB T7V 2E5

Powered by
CivicSend - A product of CivicPlus