Last week the City of Yorkton sent out a release announcing it was continuing to work closely with the Saskatchewan Medical Health Office and their local officials and follow their lead in regards to COVID-19, mimicking what was the case with the West Nile Virus and the H1N1 Influenza in the recent past.
“Our highest priority has always been to safeguard the health and safety of the public who visit and use our facilities, as well as the staff who work in them,” said Maloney in the release. “As a result, the frequency of janitorial services will be increased, including the disinfecting of door handles and counter surfaces as well as washroom cleaning. Hand sanitizer dispensers are being installed in high traffic locations, however washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is recommended,” he said.
Then Monday the province announced schools would be closed, and the City view changed.
Mayor Bob Maloney said he sees schools as “a real game-changer.”
As a result Council met Monday to discuss closing most, if not all city-owned recreational facilities.
The Mayor said if schools close to protect students and their families from COVID-19, having the swimming pool and other locations open to gather would defeat the purpose.
“If the schools are closed it would be imprudent (of us) to say the least,” he offered.
As a result of the meeting Monday Maloney announced Tuesday afternoon will be moving to close its facilities where people normally gather, such as the Gallagher Centre, including the Access Aquatic Centre, Kinsman Arena, Gloria Hayden Centre, Visitor Information Centre and Yorkton Public Library effective Wednesday, March18.
The moves are indefinite, although Maloney told Yorkton This Week he the hope is facilities “reopen as soon as possible,” adding the City “will follow the lead of science,” as the situation unfolds further.
At the press conference announcing the closures Tuesday Maloney added he wanted “to emphasize that plans are in place to ensure critical services such as water, sewer and snow clearing are maintained throughout the city, and our police and Fire Protection Services will continue to function as usual.”
At this point City Hall will remain open although Maloney said people are encouraged to pay bills online or through the mail slot in the atrium to help protect the health and safety of staff.
Staff at closed facilities will continue to work on internal things in the short-term.
Maloney said while there may not be a case identified locally as of Monday, “there is an obligation for use to be leaders,” in doing what can be done to lessen the chance of transmissions. “... Basically we’re all trying to stay ahead of this.”
Broad closure of city-owned facilities is not unique to Yorkton with Wynyard, Nipawin, Melfort and Moose Jaw among those taking the action.
From the earlier release the Mayor said monitoring will be ongoing.
“Administratively, we will be reviewing our business continuity plans to determine minimum critical service levels are maintained as we progress through this serious public health situation,” said Maloney, last week. “We will continue to ensure ongoing regular communication with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and developments as they unfold. I emphasize that this is a team effort from many cooperating agencies,” he said.
“Yorkton Fire Protective Services has been reviewing body substance isolation training as well as increasing normal preventive measures to prevent secondary contamination in the fire hall. Non-essential travel for our fire fighters has also been suspended,” said Fire Chief Trevor Morrissey.
The Fire Chief is also the City’s Emergency Measures Operations Coordinator. “We encourage everyone to practice proper hygiene such as covering a cough and/or sneeze with a tissue and promptly disposing of it in the garbage; refrain from touching your eyes, nose and mouth; practice “social distancing”; and stay home when feeling sick,” he said.
Maloney said Monday one area he holds as a positive is the statement from the provinces Chief Medical Officer has noted “transmission is still very low, so maybe we are staying ahead of this.”
The Mayor also said Council “is very concerned with the local business community through this time period,” adding he hopes residents continue to support Yorkton business efforts as much as is reasonable.
For more information on the COVID-19 virus, and what you can do to protect yourself and those around you, please refer to the notices and publications that can be found at www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus.
