COVID-19 Status Update

April 17, 2020 - Our apologies for delayed distribution. Council meerting dating error corrected in this version.

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.

Hinton Emergency Operations Centre

SOLE Extended

Yesterday (April 16, 2020), the Town of Hinton Emergency Operations Centre and Mayor Marcel Michaels signed a renewal for the Town of Hinton's COVID-19 State of Local Emergency. Find a infographic with the main restrictions here.

The parameters of the State of Local Emergency have not been expanded this week.

Thank you to all Hinton residents for their compliance over the long weekend.

Trails and Spaces for Exercise not Leisure
The Emergency Operations Centre understands that some residents have questions regarding recommended uses of trails and spaces. The intent is to discourage gatherings and social events in favour of using the trails for the purpose of excercising or transportation.

We ask that residents use outdoor/non-home spaces for function, and not pleasure - i.e. for the purpose of burning energy/calories in pursuit of continued healthy life, or for the purpose of using the trails for travel to reach essential services, but not for gathering and other scenarios that can encourage spread.

We recognize that outdoor time, exercise, and fresh air are all important and vital parts of life, but in this pandemic event, we are following the direction from Alberta Health Services and the Provincial Operations Centre, advising all residents to stay home whenever possible.

As a reminder, we are asking all residents to consider the entire community to be on leash.

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

Hinton Town Council

There has not been a Town Council meeting since our last update. The next Town Council Meeting is scheduled for April 21, 2020, and will be available via zoom meetings. Find more information on the Town of Hinton website.

Previous

During a Special Meeting of Council held Tuesday (April 7, 2020) afternoon, Hinton Town Council took actions which 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.

Find announcement CivicSend here.

Town of Hinton Administration

Delay of Reopening
At this time, the Rotary Spray Park, Tennis Courts, Skate Park, and Athabasca Riverfront Park all remain closed for the off season. The reopening of all of these facilities, which would generally occur over the coming weeks, are officially delayed until further notice by Town of Hinton Parks and Recreation.

Friendly Caller Program
The Friendly Caller Program aims to connect an assigned Friendly Caller volunteer with anyone who wishes to receive a regular, casual phone call. If you’d like a once per week friendly chat, then please call FCSS at 780-865-6036 to register. This is a great way to visit without leaving your house.

Community Volunteer Income Tax Program During COVID-19
With the FCSS Office currently closed to the public due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program has been modified to ensure residents are able to file their 2019 taxes. Learn more here.

Deferment of Utilities and Taxes

Following Council's direction on Tuesday, Town of Hinton Corporate Services has prepared information to assist residents in deferring their Tax and Utilities for a period of 120 days ending August 30.

Learn about the deferment action on the web page here, or view and submit the form here. Residents can also call 780-865-6016 to learn more or defer.

Learn More

The next scheduled COVID-19 related update is Thursday, April 23, 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.