Strathcona County adapts to new provincial restrictions

Strathcona County is committed to community safety and well-being and will continue to follow Government of Alberta measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.

New mandatory provincial restrictions announced on November 24, 2020 are now in effect for County residents, businesses and facilities. Restrictions will be in place for at least three weeks and include:  

• No indoor social gatherings are permitted in any setting including private homes, indoor public spaces and workspaces.
• Outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people and must not have an indoor component.
• Wedding and funeral services are limited to 10 people, and no receptions are permitted.
• Places of worship are restricted to 1/3 of normal capacity and masking is mandatory.
• Indoor and outdoor festivals and events are prohibited, including concerts.
• Strathcona County Agora is closed as a gathering place; craft sales may continue at 25 per cent capacity.
• Masks are mandatory for those ages two and over in indoor public settings, except where exemptions apply.
• Masks are mandatory for all indoor workplaces except when alone at a workstation and separated by six feet of physical distance.

For complete information on mask wearing and exemptions, view provincial guidelines at https://open.alberta.ca/publications/cmoh-order-38-2020.

Businesses permitted to remain open may have additional restrictions as of November 27. More information is available at alberta.ca/biz-connect. Residents are encouraged to work from home if possible.

Additional government measures alter in-school learning and winter break. Visit school board websites for details.

Strathcona County’s annual Celebration of Lights event, scheduled for Sunday, November 29, 2020, is postponed as it has interactive elements and requires over 10 volunteers. The holiday display marking the beginning of the festive season will still light up on November 29.

Strathcona County activities and areas that remain open include:

• Wellness centres, including personal training 
• Lap swimming and aquatic walking lanes
• Indoor fitness tracks
• Gallery@501
• Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, walking trails, parks, playgrounds, toboggan hills and off-leash dog parks
• Strathcona County Agora and Community Centre rooms as a classroom learning space with structured seating and protocols
• Community Centre and library with some restrictions

Additional online programming, outdoor skating pathways and rink use guidelines are being developed. Visit strathcona.ca/beforeyougo for recreation opportunities. Residents must continue to book any wellness centre activities at reconline.strathcona.ca.

Please be kind to each other. Remember to stay six feet apart, wear a mask and wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water.

The ongoing pandemic and its impacts can be difficult to cope with. If you need mental health, financial, parenting or other support, phone Family and Community Services at 780-464-4044.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms or require testing, please visit albertahealthservices.ca/testing, or phone Alberta Health Services at 811 to book.

Strathcona County will continue to work with community groups, businesses and the community as we adapt to current and future COVID-19 restrictions.

For more information please visit alberta.ca/covid19.

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 Contact: Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595