COVID-19 Status Update

May 25, 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, Provincial Group Restrictions, 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.

Residents, businesses, and visitors choosing to remain non-compliant on physical distancing or gathering parameters can, and should, anticipate provincial fines being levied directly moving forward.

This includes groups who happen to gather by chance in parks, green spaces, businesses or in areas like the dog or bike park.

Groups of 50 or more in an outdoor space and 15 or more indoors can, and will, be ticketed under provincial restrictions.

Business Compliance Needed
The Town of Hinton is receiving reports from concerned citizens regarding social distancing protocols and cleaning in local businesses. We strongly stress the business compliance and encouragement of customers to comply is absolutely essential. Businesses may receive random patrols for distancing compliance, with potential Provincial Infraction tickets issued, without notice.

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

Thank You
The Town of Hinton Emergency Operations Centre thanks all residents and businesses for your cooperation during our State of Local Emergency. Your actions, sacrifices, and compliance assisted us in rapidly responded to a global pandemic event.

Hinton Emergency Operations Centre

The Hinton Emergency Operations Centre has concluded it's SOLE. As result, we now operate entirely under the restrictions of the province. As such, this section will now be used to share changes in provincial statuses relevant to the community. This is provided for ease of access - please refer to the Provincial website for up to the minute information.

Phase 1 is now Fully in Place

This phase will allow some businesses and services to reopen and resume operations with two metre physical distancing requirements and other public health guidance in place.

This includes:

Post secondary institutions will continue to deliver courses however how programs are delivered whether online in-person or blended will depend on what restrictions remain in place at the time of relaunch. *
Retail businesses such as clothing, furniture, and book stores *
Some personal services such as hairstyling and barber shops *
Museums and art galleries *
More scheduled surgeries and dental procedures *
Physical therapy, chiropractic, optometry, and similar services *
Daycares with limited occupancy *
Removal of SOLE
Re-opening of play structures and skate park
- Considered use at own risk
Summer camps with limits on occupancy. (This could include summer school.)*
Rules and guidance for the use of masks in crowded spaces, especially on transit. *
Dine-in restaurants , cafes, lounges and bars to 50per cent capacity*
Nightclubs, Movie Theatres, gyms, pools, recreation centres and arenas will remain closed. *
Public attendance at businesses, facilities and events that have close physical contact will not be permitted, including*:
- arts and culture festivals*,
- major sporting events* and
- concerts*

* = Items of provincial jurisdiction, subject to provincial decision (read more here)

Business with questions regarding reopening parameters particular to their business are encouraged to contact BizConnect@gov.ab.ca

Group Restriction Expanded
Since our last update, the Province expanded its restrictions on groups to allow for groups of no more than 50.

Read more on their website here.

Restrictions for Returning Travelers

As part of its relaunch strategy, the Alberta government is enacting public health measures in the country for international travellers to prevent the spread of travel-related COVID-19 cases.

Read more here.

Increased health services and testing available soon

Starting May 25, some Albertans will have access to more health services, including non-urgent surgeries that require hospital stays.

Voluntary testing for asymptomatic staff and residents in long-term care and some designated supportive living facilities will begin on May 25.

More information is available online.

Provincial Restrictions Remain

The Province of Alberta's Public Health Emergency has a significant number of Public Health Orders which remain in effect. Find the list here, or view the list below or image above for further information.

Mandatory 14-day isolation for returning international travellers or close contacts of people with confirmed COVID-19.
Mandatory 10-day isolation for people with symptoms that are not related to a pre-existing illness or health condition: cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat.
Restrictions on gatherings and restricted services are now legally enforceable and subject to fines.
New operational protocols, including limited visitation, are now enforceable for all nursing homes, designated supportive living and long-term care facilities, seniors lodges and any facility in which residential addiction treatment services are offered.
New outbreak standards are now in place for operators, managers and staff at all congregate health settings, including all hospitals, nursing homes, designated supportive living and long-term care facilities, seniors lodges and facilities in which residential addiction treatment services are offered.

- https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-orders-and-legislation.aspx

Enforcement

Businesses allowed to open will be carefully monitored for compliance with public health orders.

If Albertans are concerned that a business is not following public health orders, they can:

remind the business owner or operator that not following public health orders is against the law and puts people at risk
submit a complaint to AHS public health inspectors online or by phone at 1-833-415-9179 by leaving a message when prompted

Complaints that require an immediate response can also be reported to your local police force through their administrative phone line. Please do not call 911.
Submit a complaint online

- https://www.alberta.ca/restricted-and-non-restricted-services.aspx

Using Outdoor Spaces

Sharing the path
People of all ages and mobility enjoy the outdoor paths. Please be considerate and aware of all path users.

All cyclists should be using their bell when passing others on the paths. When you are approaching someone, ring your bell, slowdown, and pass off path when safe to do so.
If you are using the paths and you hear a bell, please slow down, look around, and move off path if you need to.

Runners please allow enough room to safely pass others.

Hinton Town Council

During a Regular Meeting of Council on Tuesday (May 19, 2020), Council discussed HYAC, Land Use Bylaw Amendment No. 1088-14, and Council representation on boards and committees. Find the video at Hinton.ca/CouncilLive and briefs here.

Council meetings are closed to the public and occurring via teleconferencing. However, they are being live streamed via Youtube to allow residents to remain engaged in the democratic process in this pandemic event.

Town of Hinton Administration

Business Resources Now Available via Links on Town Website
For the purpose of resident/business owner convenience, the Town of Hinton Economic Development Officer has provided links to provincial downloads, as well as our local Reopening Document, via Hinton.ca/Reopened.

Town Facility Closures/Changes

Please use the above table for information purposes. The Town of Hinton is working to bring our own openings in line with the Provincial guidelines, decisions, and recommendations. Further updates will be provided as new decisions are reached. Please consult Hinton.ca/COVID to review current closures.

Community Playgrounds / Structures Reopened
All community playgrounds / structures have been reopened. This does not include washrooms, outhouses, or seasonally closed facilities. All facilities that have been reopened are considered "use at your own risk". The Town does not maintain sterilization of playground structures. Individuals using parks as asked to continue to use physical distancing to inhibit potential spread.

Learn More

The next scheduled COVID-19 related update is Thursday, May 28, 2020.

Town of Hinton Previous Update (May 14, 2020)
Town of Hinton Previous Update (May 07, 2020)
Town of Hinton Previous Update (May 01, 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.