April Mainline Express Newsletter

PLAYGROUND CLOSURE – BEISEKER

Village Council has made the difficult decision to close all playgrounds in our Village in lieu of the COVID-19 virus. As you may be aware, many municipalities in Alberta have taken this approach in order to control the spread of this virus. Alberta Health Services supports this decision and provided us with the following information:
The current evidence indicates that this virus may last for days on play equipment (plastic/metal) so closing the playgrounds appears to be a prudent step right now as children cannot stop touching their face or putting their hands in their mouth. It also reduces the chance that kids will play with other kids thus reducing the spread.
Thank you for your understanding of this decision and your cooperation in keeping our children and residents safe.
Village of Beiseker.

COVID-19 INFORMATION FOR ALBERTANS

Here is a list of information and services for Albertans as provided by the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (Government of Alberta).

Text for Hope

Alberta Health Services is launching a text-based program that aims to help provide encouragement and hope to Albertans. Text4Hope sends subscribers text messages of support and encouragement to ease stress or anxiety. Albertans can Text COVID19HOPE to 393939 to subscribe. Alternatively, you can contact the Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642 or Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868

Information for Emergency Financial Assistance

The Emergency Financial Assistance web page now includes information on the federal and provincial supports/programs and a link to the COVID-19 page for more information.

https://www.alberta.ca/emergency-financial-assistance.aspx

List your service or product

The Alberta Emergency Management Agency Unsolicited Offers Program has been set up in response to growing offers of generosity from individuals and organizations to help with the challenges many Albertans are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those wanting to help can go to alberta.ca/COVID19offersprogram for more information. https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/4d1261e6d08f4d2eb530c53cc089242c

General Information regarding COVID-19 – Contact Alberta Government

Starting March 23, the Alberta Connects Contact Centre will be available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Albertans can call toll-free from anywhere in the province by dialing 310-4455 for general information about the Government of Alberta and its response to COVID-19, or for help contacting individual program areas. This line cannot provide medical advice. Anyone who has health concerns or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should complete an online COVID-19 self-assessment.

Community and Social Services

 Community and Social Services has suspended in-person service delivery in its program offices and Alberta Supports Centres. Albertans should contact 1-877-644-9992 for more information.

New Self Isolation Rules

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-self-isolation-rules-update-march-24-1.5508473

Vehicle Traffic Closed in National Parks

Coronavirus: Parks Canada to close national parks, historic sites to vehicle traffic

Subject: March 18 Major Economic Announcement: Supports for students, laid-off workers

The Alberta government continues to support Albertans during this unprecedented global public health emergency.

Premier Kenney announced a temporary program for working adult Albertans who must self-isolate because they meet the Government of Alberta’s published criteria for self-isolation. This program also includes people who are the sole caregiver for a dependent who must self-isolate because they meet the public health criteria, and who will not have another source of pay or compensation while they are self-isolated. That money will be available starting this week to help them make ends meet until federal supports start on April 1. An online application will be made available on alberta.ca.

Albertans can defer their electricity and natural gas utility payments for residential, farm and small commercial customers for 90 days.

Post-secondary students will have a six-month, interest-free holiday on student loan payments.

ATB Financial and Alberta credit unions are offering deferrals on loans and mortgages to customers affected by COVID-19.

Government will not collect corporate income taxes until this August 31.

The news release at alberta.ca/covid has more detail.

This announcement is important information for your stakeholders as well. I ask for your help in sharing it with them. You will receive materials to share in the coming days.

You bring incredible empathy, flexibility and concern to today’s new reality. Government brings its commitment and resources. Albertans bring their legendary resilience. Together we will help students, workers, and everyone get through this dark time and emerge stronger than ever.

Thank you.

Paul Wynnyk
Deputy Minister

ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES – COVID 19 WEBSITE https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page16944.aspx

• As COVID-19 continues to quickly evolve, we want to ensure public safety and the well-being of our visitors and staff in Alberta’s provincial parks. In order to assist the province with its efforts to keep Albertans safe during this time, all campgrounds, toilets, picnic and warm-up shelters will be closed to the public at least until May 1, 2020. This includes car camping, backcountry camping, roofed accommodations, all public buildings, events and programs. Alberta Parks remain accessible, but camping and ] Alberta Parks facilities are closed until at least May 1.