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Update #7: COVID-19 Pandemic | Applications Open for Regional Non-Profits to Develop Social Support Programs

Date: March 27, 2020
Location: County of Grande Prairie, Active Emergencies, Beaverlodge, Clairmont, Grande Prairie, Hythe, Sexsmith, Wembley

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.  

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Media Inquiries:

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

Update #6: COVID-19 Pandemic | Local Food Banks Seek Community Support and Regional Municipalities Continue State of Local Emergency

Date: March 25, 2020
Location: County of Grande Prairie, Active Emergencies, Beaverlodge, Clairmont, Grande Prairie, Hythe, Sexsmith, Wembley

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

Update #6: COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 Community Care Program Delivers to those at Risk

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.

 

Update #5: COVID-19 Pandemic | Regional Municipalities ask Snowbirds to go Straight Home

Date: March 24, 2020
Location: County of Grande Prairie, Active Emergencies, Beaverlodge, Clairmont, Grande Prairie, Hythe, Sexsmith, Wembley

GPREP’s six partner municipalities, including the City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie, the Towns of Beaverlodge, Wembley, and Sexsmith, and the Village of Hythe, are asking all residents returning back to the region to go directly and immediately home without making any stops along the way.

“The biggest risk to the region is the return of residents who have been out of Canada,” said Dan Lemieux, Acting Director of Emergency Management for GPREP. “It is critical that they return to their homes immediately and not make any stops. Do not stop to visit family, do not stop to pick up any pets, don’t even stop for groceries. And once you are home, please stay there in isolation for two weeks.”

Alberta Health Services (AHS) recently updated their travel recommendations to align with the Government of Canada’s mandatory requirement that anyone returning home from outside of Canada self-isolate for 14 days.

“Coming home, we realize you’ll need groceries and other household items,” said Lemieux. “We encourage returning residents to use online shopping tools if available or by calling upon family, friends or neighbours to bring items to you. It is critical that you avoid contact with others for the full 14 days and do not go out into the community for any reason. For the rest of the community, if you know of a snowbird returning home, reach out to them to see if you can help them gather supplies they’ll need and deliver them to their door without making contact.”

Once at home, residents should monitor their health and watch for symptoms, such as cough, fever, fatigue or difficulties breathing. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should complete the AHS online self-assessment tool to determine next steps, such as undergoing testing.

Residents should use the Government of Alberta website as their primary source of information on the government’s response and health measures www.alberta.ca/covid19.

Residents are also encouraged to check municipal websites for information on municipality specific announcements such as changes to services and events:

Update #4: COVID-19 Pandemic | COVID-19 Community Care Program Delivers to those at Risk

Date: March 23, 2020
Location: County of Grande Prairie, Active Emergencies, Beaverlodge, Clairmont, Grande Prairie, Hythe, Sexsmith, Wembley

Media Release March 23, 2020 | 4:00 p.m.

Update #4: COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 Community Care Program Delivers to those at Risk

The six partner municipalities of the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP) launched a program today to ensure residents in the GPREP service area have continued access to essential items, like food and medication, in light of COVID-19 pandemic. The service area includes Beaverlodge, City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie, Hythe, Sexsmith and Wembley.

 

The COVID-19 Community Care Program: Food & Pharmacy targets vulnerable citizens. This includes those who are unable to visit stores and pharmacies because of self-isolation requirements, as directed by Alberta Health Services. It also includes people without the financial support to purchase essential goods.

 

“We recognize that these are challenging times for all of our residents,” said Lesley Nielsen-Bjerke, GPREP Information Officer. “This program is dedicated to those at heightened risk who have no other supports available, and are in urgent need of groceries, medication or essential goods.”

 

Program details and an online request form are available on the GPREP website at www.gprep.ca/covid19/communitycare. Residents can also call the COVID-19 Community Care Program Hotline at 780-830-7070. Hotline hours of operation are Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

Once a request is made, individuals will receive a call back from a program assessor within 24-hours of making their online or phone request. If the request is approved, a driver will deliver the goods.

 

Deliveries will be made within 72-hours. For those able to pay for their items, the program accepts cheques, and debit and credit cards only.

 

City of Grande Prairie and County of Grande Prairie staff will be utilized as delivery personnel. Safety precautions are in place to protect citizens and drivers. The program will protect the confidentiality of those who participate.

 

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

 

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Media Inquiries:

Lesley Nielsen-Bjerke

Information Officer, GPREP

info@gprepeoc.com

 

Update #3: COVID-19 Pandemic | To Reduce Community Transmission GPREP Prohibits the Use of Playground Equipment

Date: March 20, 2020
Location: County of Grande Prairie, Active Emergencies, Beaverlodge, Clairmont, Grande Prairie, Hythe, Sexsmith, Wembley

Media Release March 20, 2020 | 11:00 a.m. 

Update 3: COVID-19 Pandemic 

To Reduce Community Transmission GPREP Prohibits the Use of Playground Equipment 

The six partner municipalities of the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP) have prohibited access to playground equipment as a precautionary step to prevent the spread of COVID–19.  

This decision supplements announcements from the federal and provincial governments to limit public gatherings, maintain social distancing, and increase cleaning and hygiene. 

GPREP is taking this precautionary step due to the close proximity playground equipment forces, the number of people touching surfaces, number of surfaces, inability to maintain cleanliness, and crowds of all ages that often gather in these areas.  

At this time GPREP is prohibiting access to all playground equipment including schools in the City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie, Towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley, and Village of Hythe.  

Residents are encouraged to maintain a space of 1-2 meters between individuals, practicing good hand hygiene, and covering coughs and sneezes.  

The primary source of information for Albertans about COVID19 is Alberta.ca/covid19. 

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Media Inquiries: 

Lesley Nielsen-Bjerke 

Information Officer, GPREP 

info@gprepeoc.com 

 

Update #2: COVID-19 Pandemic | Regional municipalities declare State of Local Emergency 

Date: March 18, 2020
Location: County of Grande Prairie, Active Emergencies, Beaverlodge, Clairmont, Grande Prairie, Hythe, Sexsmith, Wembley

Media Release March 18, 2020 | 3:00 p.m. 

Update #2: COVID-19 Pandemic 

Regional municipalities declare State of Local Emergency 

GPREP’s six partner municipalities, including the City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie, the Towns of Beaverlodge, Wembley, and Sexsmith, and the Village of Hythe, have each declared a State of Local Emergency to support the Province of Alberta’s efforts to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“After assessing the current situation, we have determined it is necessary for the partner municipalities to make this declaration in order to enact certain provisions including those that will allow us to ensure we can maintain access to supplies in the region,” said Dan Lemieux, Acting Director of Emergency Management for GPREP. “The declaration allows us to exercise extraordinary powers outlined in the Alberta Emergency Management Act, which we will be using to develop a plan to support local retailers in managing distribution of goods and ensuring an adequate supply of food and necessary household items now and into the coming weeks.” 

Once declared, a State of Local Emergency provides municipalities the following powers if necessary:  

  • Control or prohibit travel 
  • Distribute essential goods, restore essential facilities, and maintain/coordinate emergency medical, welfare, or other essential services 
  • Price fix for food, clothing, fuel, equipment, medical supplies, or other essential supplies and the use of any property, services, resources or equipment for the duration of the State of Local Emergency
  • Order the evacuation of persons and the removal of livestock and personal property that is or may be affected by a disaster and decide for the adequate care and protection of those persons or livestock and of the personal property 
  • Authorize the entry into any building or on any land, without warrant, by any person in the course of implementing an emergency plan or program 

“We understand the questions and concerns residents from our region are raising as the global COVID–19 pandemic evolves,” said Lemieux. “This is an unprecedented situation that requires extraordinary measures. We are in close contact with Alberta Health Services and working with them in our efforts to keep our community safe and provide the best advice to our local elected officials so that they can make informed and effective decisions.” 

 Residents are reminded to follow the advice of federal and provincial health officials including practicing social distancing.  

“Social distancing is a key strategy adopted by the Province to ‘flatten the curve,’ which is basically trying to reduce the number of people contracting COVID-19 at one time so we don’t overwhelm the healthcare system,” said Lemieux. “We encourage residents in the region to stay at home as much as possible, but at the same time look out for each other. Check on your neighbours, the seniors in the community, and other people who are considered high risk and see what you can do to help them while still limiting contact. We are all in this together and, as a community, we have many resources to help support each other through this difficult time.” 

Residents should use the Government of Alberta website as their primary source of information on the government’s response and health measures by visiting www.alberta.ca/covid19.  

Residents are also encouraged to check municipal websites for information on municipality specific announcements such as changes to services and events: 

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Media Inquiries:

Update #1: COVID-19 Pandemic | GPREP Activated in Response to COVID-19

Date: March 13, 2020

Media Release March 13, 2020 | 4:25 p.m.

UPDATE #1: COVID-19 Pandemic

GPREP Activated in Response to COVID-19

The Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership has activated in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

A regional task force has been created to assess the current situation, respond to the evolving situation, and execute the GPREP pandemic plan.

Our priority is to ensure the health and safety of our residents, and ensure essential services are maintained. 

The primary source for information on COVID-19 in Alberta is Alberta.ca/covid19.

Residents are also encouraged to check municipal websites for information on municipality specific announcements:

GPREP will provide further updates as they become available.


Visit the Alberta Emergency Alert website for more information, or to download the app.

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