All posts tagged covid19

Media Release June 12, 2020 | 2:00 p.m. 

Update #20: COVID-19 Pandemic  

State of Local Emergency Lifted in GPREP Service Area 

The Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP) has lifted the State of Local Emergency in all six GPREP municipalities.  

“Although the State of Local Emergency has been lifted, residents must continue to act with caution as the threat of spread of COVID-19 still exists,” said Chris Manuel, Director of Emergency Management for GPREP. “Listen to provincial health professionals, adhere to physical distancing measures where possible, and wear a mask when unable to maintain distancing. Residents should always practice good hand hygiene and avoid touching their faces.” 

GPREP remains active with reduced staffing, the partnership has adopted a sustained operations model that allows for operations and staffing to expand as needed. In addition, GPREP is in contact with Alberta Health Services to continue to monitor the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

Programs developed to support the community during the pandemic are to continue, including personal protective equipment distribution, business ambassador program, community care program, vulnerable sector isolation program, and the temporary overflow cot program. GPREP is monitoring the programs and will reassess the value of each program on a regular basis to ensure they fill community needs. The programs will be modified as required.  

Background 

The State of Local Emergency has been in effect since March 18 in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie, Towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley, and the Village of Hythe.  

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Media Inquiries:  

• Candace Bilodeau 
• Information Officer, GPREP  
• info@gprepoc.com  

Media Release May 15, 2020 | 5:00 p.m.

Update #18: COVID-19 Pandemic

GPREP Relocating Temporary Cot Overflow Program to Bowes Event Centre

The Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP) is relocating the Rotary House Temporary Cot Overflow Program from the Dave Barr Community Centre to the Bowes Event Centre in the next two-weeks.

As a response to COVID-19, the provincial government, under the Public Health Act, established social distancing requirements that reduced the capacity at Rotary House by 50 percent.  This limitation necessitated the establishment of an additional site for up to 46 cots for our vulnerable population.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the Bowes Centre was not available for use as a temporary shelter as Alberta Health Services (AHS) had designated the site for other emergency planning requirements. As the province has begun the phased reopening of facilities, AHS has agreed to remove this restriction.

Background:

Dave Barr Community Centre Temporary Cot Overflow Program Closing

• Dave Barr Community Centre established as temporary cot facility on March 30, 2020
• Successfully housed an average of 36 residents per night with a maximum capacity of 46
• The relocation of the Temporary Cot Program to the City owned Bowes Centre will allow for planned community use of the Dave Barr Community Centre to proceed in June

Bowes Event Centre Temporary Cot Overflow Program Opening

• The program will relocate to the Bowes Event Centre in the next two-weeks with a maximum capacity of 43 people
• The Temporary Cot Overflow Program provides overnight cots at a cost of $10/night to vulnerable residents who are vetted at Rotary House and must meet eligibility criteria. This program in not a drop-in shelter.
• Representatives from the City, GPREP and AHS assessed various facilities throughout Grande Prairie and created a list of suitable facilities to address various needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, both current and potential
• 24-hour security and resource workers will be on site
• RCMP and Peace Officers will increase patrols in the area
• Upon arrival at the site, bags are searched, and pockets checked
• Registered residents of the Temporary Cot Program may not come and go after 11 p.m.
• Staff and program participants are screened before coming to Bowes Centre upon arrival. Symptomatic clients may not stay on site and our provided alternative support

To support the safe re-opening of businesses in the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP) service area, GPREP has launched the PPE4Biz program to help reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 among workers, volunteers and patrons. A limited supply of essential safety items such as masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers will be available for purchase to eligible businesses that do not have these supplies on hand and have completed a business hazards assessment.  

“As many businesses prepare to re-open to the public as early as May 14, implementing PPE4Biz is one of the ways GPREP and local chambers are working with businesses to help restart our region as safely as possible,” said Dan Lemieux, GPREP Director of Emergency Management.  

Program Applications:

• This program will open for applications on Tuesday, May 12 at 8:00 a.m. online.  
• The online application, along with details about the program, are available next week on the GPREP website at www.gprep.ca.  
• Eligible businesses will be able to pick up supplies starting May 13 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.   

• Only a limited amount of supplies will be available for distribution through the program due to current limits on the availability of the items. In light of these restrictions, GPREP encourages businesses to apply early.   
• Applications will be reviewed by program assessors to determine a business’s eligibility. Businesses are encouraged to follow the AHS guidelines for reopening and complete the Business Hazard Assessment.   

Program Criteria:

• Businesses must be located in the GPREP service area, which includes the City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie, Hythe, Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley.  
• As part of the application, businesses must complete a hazard assessment to determine if PPE is necessary.   

To prepare for the safe and gradual reopening of businesses and activities, the Government of Alberta has prepared a three-step Relaunch Strategy. As part of the strategy, businesses are directed to adhere to the Province’s workplace guidelines for business owners. GPREP is working on a long-term solution for business to obtain PPE for the future and is working with local vendors and suppliers. Information will be communicated as the plan develops.  

The primary source of information for Albertans about COVID-19 is Alberta.ca/covid19.   

Media Release

April 28, 2020 | 3:30 p.m.
Update #13: COVID-19 Pandemic

GPREP Aligns with Business Resiliency Taskforce to Unify Regional Economic Response to COVID-19

The Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership has formalized an alliance with the regional Business Resiliency Taskforce to strengthen the region’s collaborative approach to economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group is mandated to support business resiliency throughout the COVID-19 crisis, to help ensure local businesses are ready to respond when the province lifts restrictions on operations, and to guide the economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In line with this approach, GPREP has developed a Business Ambassador Team with the immediate priority to support essential businesses currently permitted by the province to be operational, such as grocery stores, financial services, and pharmacies. The goal of this outreach is to aid businesses in the implementation and education of social distancing measures. The Business Ambassador Team will identify best practices and work with local businesses to develop solutions for logistical challenges that may apply to other businesses in preparation for when the province begins to lift restrictions.

In an ongoing effort to support regional businesses, the Business Resiliency Taskforce, comprised of the Chambers, City, and County, continues with previously announced programs such as the #LoveLocalGP campaign, weekly training webinars for local businesses, and a voucher program that offers grants to businesses for a variety of advisory services.

The Business Ambassador Team continues to connect with local stakeholders to determine the best methods to support local businesses as the province begins lifting restrictions. Any businesses interested in speaking to a Business Ambassador are encouraged to e-mail: business@gprepeoc.com.

Quotes

“A deep understanding of local challenges positions us to better respond to the provincial business relaunch plan when announced by the province. Until that time, our commitment is to support our business community in the drastic adjustment to business restrictions we’ve seen in the last six weeks.”

– Rebecca Leigh, Economic Development Manager for the City of Grande Prairie.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency with the unfortunate consequence of a broad impact on the economy and the way we do business every day. We will continue to work with our municipal partners to ensure local businesses are kept informed of the programs available and the changes required moving forward to help with as quick a transition as possible once restrictions are lifted.”

– Larry Gibson, Chair of the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce

“We want to be clear that we jointly recognize the unprecedented hardship businesses are facing. We are in this together, and we will do what we can to support the community. The restrictions are in place to protect lives and reduce the spread of COVID-19. We must not lose sight of that while being as proactive as possible in alleviating the pressures that come along with those restrictions.”

– Chris King, Economic Development Manager for the County of Grande Prairie.

Media Release April 9, 2020 | 2:00 p.m. 

Update #10: COVID-19 Pandemic 

Residents Reminded to Adhere to Physical Distancing Measures When in Public, State of Local Emergency Renewed for Third Time 

Residents of the Peace Region are reminded that a key practice to prevent the spread of COVID–19 is to practice physical distancing. 

Essential workers are reporting to GPREP that a number of residents are visiting stores out of boredom and not adhering to provincial health orders nor to the measures put in place by stores to ensure proper physical distancing. This practice must stop.  

Under the order of provincial health authorities, Albertans are to limit the number of times they leave their home for errands. If there is an essential need to go into public spaces, such as to shop for food, medication, or sanitation supplies, it is critical all residents adhere to physical distancing measures and remain responsive to the direction of frontline workers. 

“Adhering to physical distancing measures requires all of us to exercise a high degree of patience when entering grocery stores,” said Chris Manuel, Director of Emergency Management. “If you are caught not adhering to measures in place by Public Health Authorities, you may be charged and if you don’t abide by store rules you can be trespassed and banned.”  

Those choosing to use masks and gloves when in public must not litter and are required to properly dispose of these items in a garbage bin. 

“This week, we heard from the Premier that the peak of this pandemic in Alberta could be as late as the end of May,” says Manuel. “The community has done an incredible job to date, that being said, this is no time to become complacent in our efforts to prevent the spread of COVID19 in our region.” 

State of Local Emergency  

GPREP’s six partner municipalities have renewed the State of Local Emergency in the City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie, Towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley, and the Villiage of Hythe.  

The state of local emergency was initially declared on March 18, 2020 and since then has been renewed three times due to the legislative requirement to renew after 7 days under the Alberta Emergency Management Act. 

“We are hopeful that recent legislation tabled in the Alberta Legislature will allow us to call a State of Local Emergency for a duration of 90 days,” said Jennifer Wood, Manager of GPREP. “If approved, it will eliminate the need for us to renew the state of local emergency with the province and publicly declare the renewal each week.” 

For the latest information on GPREP’s emergency response in the region, visit gprep.ca. 

Media Release April 6, 2020 | 3:00 p.m. 

Update #9: COVID-19 Pandemic 

Community Care Program Off to Successful Start 

The Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership is proud to share the success of the Community Care Program with the region.  

In the two weeks since launching on March 23, the Community Care Program has made 32 deliveries of necessary food and pharmacy supplies to residents unable to leave their homes due to mandatory COVID-19 self-isolation related to travel or due to being a member of a high-risk group. 

The deliveries have been made to people from all walks of life, including seniors and families. 

The service is operating in collaboration with Safeway, whose Grande Prairie South branch has been packing orders for GPREP staff to deliver.  

“We are grateful for frontline workers, such as grocery stockers and cashiers, who help to keep our community in motion,” said Chris Manuel, Acting Director of Emergency Management for GPREP. “Frontline workers aren’t limited to one industry, they cross many sectors such as the transportation of goods, medical staff, emergency response personnel, and utility providers.”  

If you or someone you know needs essential groceries or medication, submit a Community Care Program application online at www.gprep.ca/covid19/communitycare. 

Media Release April 2, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. 

Update #8: COVID-19 Pandemic 

GPREP Reminds Businesses to Abide by Provincial Guidelines and Regional Municipalities Renew State of Local Emergency 

GPREP’s six partner municipalities remind all businesses to abide by the provincial guidelines on essential and non-essential services. 

Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, on March 27 the Government of Alberta ordered certain types of businesses to close effective immediately and to remain closed to public access until further notice. The recent restrictions apply to the following classifications of businesses: 

• Close contact businesses including: 

• • hair salons and barbershops, tattoo and piercing studios, esthetic services; 
  • wellness studios and clinics, and non-emergency/non-critical health services provided by regulated health professionals or registered professionals including dentistry, physiotherapy, massage, podiatry, chiropractic and optometry services.  

• Dine-in restaurants will no longer be able to offer service. Take-out and delivery services will continue to be available. 
• Non-essential retail services that fall into the categories of clothing, computers and gaming stores, and services in shopping malls and shopping centres such as hobby and toys, gift and specialty items and furniture.  

A more complete list of impacted businesses can be found on the Government of Alberta website. All other businesses and facilities that have previously been ordered to close are to remain closed, including public recreation facilities and private entertainment facilities.   

Although non-essential businesses are to remain closed to public access, business owners and employees are able to continue to work out of their business facility to take care of crucial tasks that cannot be done remotely, to retrieve necessary materials or documents, or for the purpose of facilitating the fulfillment of online or mobile ordering, as long as proper precautionary measures have been put in place such as physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and ensuring hand sanitizer is readily available. 

Any business or organization not following the public health order is subject to a fine of up to $100,000 for a first offence and up to $500,000 for a subsequent offence or for more serious violations. Anyone aware of a business violating these orders is encouraged to submit a complaint to the province online. 

Additionally, businesses in search of local supports are encouraged to visit the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce website, which houses information and local resources developed by the regional Business Resiliency Task Force, comprised of the City of Grande Prairie, the County of Grande Prairie and the Chamber of Commerce.  

State of Local Emergency Renewed 

GPREP’s six partner municipalities continue to be in a State of Local Emergency, allowing a flexible response to emerging needs. According to the Alberta Emergency Management Act, a State of Local Emergency lapses 7 days after declaration, unless renewed by the municipality. 

The primary source of information for Albertans on COVID-19 is www.alberta.ca/covid19.  

March 27, 2020 | 2:00 PM  

Update #7: COVID-19 Pandemic 

Applications Open for Regional Non-Profits to Develop Social Support Programs  

The Government of Alberta has made available funds for non-profits, municipalities, and charities who provide help to individuals, seniors, families and other vulnerable Albertans who are isolated or impacted by measures to contain COVID-19. 

The provincial funds will be distributed to community groups who support a range of services such as at-home help for seniors, crisis and helplines, food security issues, emotional and mental health counselling or any other identified community issues. Community groups may use the funding for: 

• Services that allow individuals, seniors, and families who are isolated to have home needs met such as the delivery of goods, housekeeping, and caregiver relief.  
• Services to build capacity and strengthen volunteer work in the community.  
• Alternate supports such as mentoring, mental health, and supports to address economic and food security needs.  
• Expansion or supplementing efforts to provide information such as crisis/distress lines, 211 services, and information lines. 

Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) offices are receiving the applications on behalf of the Government of Alberta. The province will make decisions on successful applications and distribute funds.  

• City of Grande Prairie FCSS 
  • badams@cityofgp.com 
  • Cell: 780-814-5023 or Phone: 780-538-0374 
  • cityofgp.com/covid19 

• County of Grande Prairie FCSS  
  • fcss@countygp.ab.ca 
  • 780-567-5598 
  • countygp.ab.ca/covid19 

• Town of Beaverlodge FCSS 
  • Thodges@beaverlodge.ca 
  • 780-354-2204 
  • www.beaverlodge.ca/FCSSFundingCOVID19

• Town of Sexsmith FCSS 
  • fcss@sexsmith.ca 
  • 780-568-4345 or 780-296-0939 
  • sexsmith.ca/social-services-support-for-covid-19 

• Town of Wembley FCSS 
  • fcss@wembley.ca 
  • 780-766–2269 
  • wembley.ca 

• Village of Hythe FCSS 
  • fcss@hythe.ca 
  • 780-933-5796 

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Media Inquiries:

• Lesley Nielsen-Bjerke 
• Information Officer, GPREP 
• info@gprepeoc.com 

Media Release March 25, 2020 | 4:30 p.m.

Update #6: COVID-19 Pandemic

Local Food Banks Seek Community Support and Regional Municipalities Continue State of Local Emergency

Local food banks are seeking help from the community to meet the increased demand for food supports caused by the economic and employment challenges of COVID-19.

“GPREP is having ongoing conversations with local food banks to monitor their food supply as they experience greater demand,” said Dan Lemieux, Acting Director of Emergency Management for GPREP. “Many in our community are under an increasing financial strain and it may not be possible for everyone to donate.”

Residents interested in donating are encouraged to make monetary donations which allow the food banks to meet the exact needs of each location and prevent spread of COVID-19.

To arrange a donation, call the following food banks:

• Salvation Army Grande Prairie: 780-538-2848
• Beaverlodge Food Bank: 780-354-2204
• Clairmont Food Bank: 780-567-2843
• Hythe Food Bank: 780-933-7017
• Sexsmith & District Food Bank: 780-296-0939
• Wembley Food Bank: 780-766-3256

“Food donations are accepted at the Salvation Army location in Grande Prairie, as well as through local grocery stores,” says Peter Kim, Executive Director of Community Services at The Salvation Army in Canada. “At this time, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, monetary donations are most beneficial as they provide the ability for us to purchase food directly from grocery stores.”

Residents are also encouraged to donate to one of the many organizations providing non-perishable food supports.

State of Local Emergency Renewed

GPREP’s six partner municipalities continue to be in a State of Local Emergency, allowing a flexible response to emerging needs. According to the Alberta Emergency Management Act, a State of Local Emergency lapses 7 days after declaration, unless renewed by the municipality.

The primary source of information for Albertans on COVID-19 is www.alberta.ca/covid19.