Spring is on its way, and while this is usually a good thing, this year it will bring new challenges for communities in the midst of a global pandemic.

“Before current restrictions can lifted, we need to see a decrease in the number of daily COVID-19 cases, the number of hospitalizations and admissions to the ICU and community transmissions in our region,” says Mayor Marshall Chalmers. “At the same time, we also need to see an increase in the number of recoveries in the region.”

The federal and provincial government and the Chestermere Emergency Management Agency (CHEMA) have implemented health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

While supporting, following and enforcing the federal and provincial measures, CHEMA also has the authority to implement aggressive sanitation, hygiene, and gathering measures in the community while under a state of local emergency. 

“While we recognize that families may be starting to feel cabin fever, it is important to note that we have not yet hit the peak of this pandemic in Alberta,” adds Mayor Chalmers. “Warm weather is just around the corner and we’d like to clarify what that means in light of the current regulations.”

The province’s mandated restrictions on gathering is that no more than 15 people can gather together, and those people can be no less than two meters apart. That said, CHEMA is strongly urging people to minimize any sort of gathering in Chestermere. 

“While we do not recommend gatherings beyond one’s own family, if you are out for a walk and stop to talk to one or two people, just keep your distance and do what is sensible to keep you and our community safe,” adds Mayor Chalmers.

“For example, you can go for a walk with a friend if you practice physical distancing, and you can stop to say hello to people while you are walking, provided you are at least, at a very minimum, two metres apart.”

Mayor Chalmers adds that, while Community Peace Officers and RCMP are patrolling the community to ensure everyone’s safety, as in other communities, it’s important to note that no tickets have been issued to date.

“Know that our Emergency Management Team are in daily contact with our provincial counterparts in Alberta Health Services, and the Provincial Emergency Management Agency,” adds Mayor Chalmers. “This is a coordinated effort and what we are doing in Chestermere is working. To all those in the community adhering to these important and potentially lifesaving practices, I say thank you.”

For current local, provincial and federal updates about the COVID-19 pandemic, visit chestermere.ca/covid19.