Response and Preparedness for COVID-19

• Closures

• Service Updates

• Essential Services

• Community Response

• Useful Links

• Resources for Seniors

In an effort to prepare for, and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) is following the direction of Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

AHS remains the trusted authority on COVID-19 and residents are encouraged to review official AHS information and follow their social media outlets.

Visit Alberta.ca/covid19 for up-to-date, accurate information.

The RMWB’s response

On March 20, Mayor Don Scott declared a state of local emergency for the Wood Buffalo region.

A state of local emergency gives the Municipality access to additional resources and special powers under the Emergency Management Act, including the following: 

• Control or prohibit travel to or from any area of the Municipality
• Procure or fix prices for food, medical supplies, equipment or other essential supplies
• Allows use of any property, services, resources or equipment within the Municipality for the duration of the state of emergency
• Authorize or require any qualified person to provide aid
• Ability to issue a mandatory evacuation notice 

Closures

• On March 13, the Municipality announced the closures of community facilities and postponed upcoming events.
• On March 16, all municipal offices were closed to the public until further notice. While offices are closed, online services continue to be available and essential services are being provided.
• On March 18, the public drop-off area at the landfill was closed. Services for commercial users of the landfill continue to be available.

Members of the public that have meetings or other engagements scheduled with the Municipality should follow up with organizers to determine a plan for these activities. 

Service updates

• Beginning March 20, all Transit services, including the SMART bus, will operate on weekend schedules, until further notice. Increased cleaning and prevention measures are in place. 
• The March 24 Council Meeting will be live streamed as usual but members of the public will not be allowed to attend in-person. Details will be announced shortly on alternative ways members of the public can register to speak and participate in the meeting. The Council Agenda will be available on Friday, March 20.  The live stream, Council agenda and supporting documents are available at rmwb.ca/council. 
• Once your curbside collection bins are picked up this week (March 16-20), recycling and garbage are to remain together (not separated), bagged and placed in a curbside collection bin. Beginning March 23, crews will pick up two bins per home (regardless of the colour of the bin) on the regular curbside collection schedule. For the current week garbage and light blue bins will be picked up as usual.
• Recycling depots throughout Fort McMurray are unavailable.
• Rural garbage and recycling depots will remain open until further notice
• All payment options for utilities, tickets and other Municipal services will continue to be available online.

• Outdoor recreation areas remain open, with residents reminded to follow public health recommendations. Signage is being placed in these areas and increased prevention measures are in place.

Further information and service updates will be released as they become available in the coming days.

Essential services

During these closures, staff will be working from home or in alternative working arrangements to ensure the essential services that keep community members safe and the municipality running continue to be provided. 
As the situation evolves, some services may be adjusted in order to manage resources effectively. 

For further information or questions, contact PULSE at 780-743-7000, toll-free 1-800-973-9663 or online at rmwb.ca/pulse. 

Community response

Several organizations and businesses within the Wood Buffalo region are also following public health recommendations and taking necessary steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As such, events, services and facilities – run by external organizations within the community – may be impacted. Please visit the web and social media pages of the individual organizations for information on externally-run programs, services and facilities.

Resources for Seniors

St. Aidan’s Society offers programs and services to seniors in our community.  While the Redpoll Centre is closed, staff are still working and available to support our seniors. Please go to the St. Aidan’s Society website for information about resources available.

Useful Links

• Government of Alberta Update on Covid-19
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Community-based measures to mitigate the spread
• Government of Canada Travel Health notices and advisories

Interview with Director of Emergency Management, Scott Davis