This morning, Lacombe County officially activated its’ Emergency Coordination Centre in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are carefully monitoring COVID-19 public health risk for any new developments and will follow protocols laid out by Alberta Health Services’ (AHS). Lacombe County recommends people in the county and urban centres take the same respiratory illness precautions as with every cold and influenza season. There is currently no widespread transmission of COVID-19 in Canada, and the risk of contracting the virus is low, but this risk could increase in the coming weeks.
Actions at the Lacombe County Office
For the protection of staff and visitors, we have added hand sanitizing stations at our office to help limit the spread of the virus and other germs. At this time, our office is open for business, however, we do have some alternative options for service available and ask that you use the options below if you have recently travelled or are feeling unwell:
- Phone (403-782-6601)
- Email (info@lacombecounty.com)
- Online service request portal,
- Lacombe County’s Facebook page
Lacombe County supports the AHS recommendation regarding self isolation by mandating that any County employees who have travelled outside of Canada (returning after March 12, 2020), shall not return to their workplace for a period of 14 days and are asked to self-isolate (per AHS recommendations). Alternate working arrangements during the isolation period will be evaluated to ensure business continuity, and at this time, Lacombe County does not anticipate any disruption of municipal services.
Public Meetings
At this time, regular Council, Council committee, and Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) meetings will continue, but municipal staff and the public are encouraged not to gather in Council chambers unless participating in the meeting. Seating in the Council Chambers has been rearranged so that it follows the AHS guidelines for social distancing. We also ask that you refrain from attending any public meetings if you have recently travelled outside of Canada or are feeling unwell.
Highlights of our meetings are posted to the website shortly after each County Council meeting.
General Prevention Tips
• Wash your hands often and well. Wash with warm water and soap to remove both visible dirt and invisible germs. Ensure you wash all parts of your hands, including under fingernails. This should take at least 20 seconds.
- Wash your hands before preparing or eating food, after using the washroom, blowing your nose, handling garbage, or touching shared objects.
- Avoid touching your face or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue and dispose of the tissue into a plastic-lined garbage bin.
Wash your hands afterwards. If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into a flexed
elbow.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
Additional Resources
During a crisis, misinformation will circulate. The most current and accurate information about COVID-19 can be found at www.alberta.ca/covid19, or from the following resources:
Alberta Health Services Government of Alberta Center for Disease Control World Health Organization Health Link 811
If you have symptoms and recently travelled outside Canada or were exposed to someone who has COVID-19, stay home and call Health Link 811 for instructions. Do not go to the ER. If you need immediate medical attention, call 911 and inform them that you may have COVID-19.
-Submitted by Lacombe County