March 13, 2020
The City of Edmonton is taking steps to protect people and places from risks associated with the COVID-19 virus.
City Council has suspended regularly-scheduled Council and Committee meetings and public hearings until Monday, March 30, 2020, and will reassess at that time.
“We understand that this is a very challenging time for our community. Right now we will focus our full attention on making the decisions necessary to deal with the public impacts of a rapidly-changing public health situation,” said Mayor Don Iveson.
“As an organization responsible for public services and an employer committed to health and safety, we are following the direction of Alberta Health in keeping Edmontonians safe,” said Interim City Manager Adam Laughlin. “Cleaning practices, events and public programs will change.”
Edmonton Transit Service disinfects and cleans buses and trains daily as standard practice. There are also standard cleaning practices in recreation centres. Effective immediately, cleaning activities for both services are being enhanced in both intensity and frequency.
To minimize the risk of exposure, the City is adjusting events and programs:
- While recreation centres will remain open, attendance at smaller leisure centres will be limited up to 50 people. Larger community recreation centres will limit attendance to up to 50 people per amenity (e.g. gyms, pools, fitness centres). Kids’ dens and indoor playgrounds will close. Registered and drop-in programs that are led by an instructor are cancelled until further notice. Programs not led by an instructor are still available at this time. All patrons are asked to practice social distancing, and those who are ill are asked to stay home.
- Mill Woods Seniors Association, North Edmonton Seniors Association and Central Lions Seniors Association will be closed as of Sunday, March 15.
- City-led public engagement events and information sessions are cancelled until further notice. Visit the project web page for other potential engagement options.
- City Hall tours and City Hall School are cancelled until further notice.
- Station tours and community events involving Edmonton Fire Rescue Services personnel are cancelled until further notice.
- All City attractions are being assessed, and decisions will be made regarding the appropriateness of staying open.
Measures have also been taken within the City workforce. Business-related travel and in-person training for City staff has been cancelled. Non-essential in-person meetings are being scaled back, and where possible they will be accommodated with technology instead.
Temporary work-from-home arrangements are being instituted, under appropriate circumstances. Staff with flu-like symptoms are required to stay home from work, and those returning from international travel are required to self-isolate. Guidelines for supervisors on how to support workers who are worried that they may be at risk have been provided, and supports are available for staff who test positive for or have been exposed to the virus.
As circumstances change, Council and a cross-departmental task team will make additional decisions and redeploy resources as needed to meet changing needs. Frequently-updated information will be provided online at
edmonton.ca/covid-19.
