Media Release - Mandatory Health Measures will Remain in Effect Across the Province until January 21, 2021
January 8, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MANDATORY HEALTH MEASURES WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT ACROSS THE PROVINCE UNTIL JANUARY 21, 2021
On Thursday January 7, 2021, Premier Jason Kenney announced that COVID-19 restrictions will remain in effect for at least another two weeks, with the exception of in-person classes.
Current restrictions put in place December 13, 2020 forced closures on Drumheller's recreation facilities (Badlands Community Facility, Drumheller Aquaplex and the Drumheller Memorial Arena) as well as stifling many festive events over the holiday season. Additionally, the mandatory health measures indicated that businesses and services are required to temporarily close, reduce capacity or limit in-person services[i]. Town Hall will remain closed to in-person services until January 21, 2021.
"It's not the news we were hoping for, however, we recognize the importance of these measures." shares Darren Goldthorpe, Manager of Recreation, Arts and Culture. "We are looking forward to the next announcement which hopefully allows us to re-open our doors. A reminder to our users that all memberships and automatic membership payments have been suspended. When the Town facilities are permitted to reopen, memberships will be reactivated upon the request of each member."
Outdoor recreation, including outdoor rinks[ii] and tobogganing[iii] are still permitted provided users follow the guidelines set by the Province. Residents of Drumheller should be reminded that outdoor rinks across the community, with the exception of the rink at the Plaza, are not owned or maintained by the Town of Drumheller. Users should contact the respective Community Associations for information on rinks.
Payments at Town Hall are accessible outside of in-person transactions:
- Sign up for the preauthorized payment plan, the payment is automatically withdrawn from your bank account on the due date. You can do this via email utilities@drumheller.ca
- Through your financial institution's online, smartphone app or telephone payment system
- Pay directly at financial institution
- E-transfer the invoice to etransfer@drumheller.ca.
- OptionPay.[iv] Please note there is a service fee to this option.
- Drop the payment off in a sealed envelope through our drop-slot beside the front doors
"The Province announced on December 8th mandatory restrictions including work from home measures and restricting in-person services," explains Darryl Drohomerski, CAO. "We are doing our best to comply with these measures, especially after experiencing positive cases of COVID-19 within our organization. We do not want to take that chance again because of the disruption it causes to public services, and potentially jeopardizing the safety of our staff and public."
The Government of Alberta announced that Businesses, organizations and service providers will be given at least one week's notice prior to changes to the current health measures that may affect them. Government will continue to consult with affected industries[v].
Town of Drumheller Communications
403-823-6300
[i] https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx
[ii] https://www.dinosaurvalley.com/announcements/information-on-outdoor-rinks
[iii] https://www.dinosaurvalley.com/announcements/toboggan-hill-1
[iv] https://www.optionpay.ca/payment/town-of-drumheller/index.php.
[v] https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=76017B67ED950-D40C-FFF7-68D47A9194167F73
