Clearwater County

On November 24, 2020, the Province of Alberta declared a State of Public Health Emergency and introduced new restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 due to rising hospitalizations and intensive care admissions.

Among the new province-wide measures:

• No indoor social gatherings are permitted in any setting, including workplaces.
• Outdoor social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people.
• Funeral services and wedding ceremonies must follow all public health guidance and are limited to a maximum of 10 in-person attendees. Receptions are not permitted.

Effective November 27, 2020, new restrictions will limit the amount of contact between people in the community, while still allowing businesses to offer services. 

These measures apply to all communities on the enhanced list (purple areas):

• Restaurants, bars, pubs and lounges will be open with restrictions if they follow all public health guidance in place.
• Most retail businesses may remain open with capacity limited to 25% of the occupancy set under the Alberta Fire Code.
• Businesses open by appointment only are not permitted to offer walk-in services. Appointments should be limited to one-on-one services.

For more information on the new public health measures, please visit www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx. 

---

On November 23, 2020, Clearwater County moved to Enhanced Status on the Provincial Relaunch Status Map. The Province of Alberta has implemented mandatory and voluntary public health measures for our community to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

The Clearwater County Enhanced Status applies to the Town of Rocky Mountain House and the Village of Caroline, as well as ALL hamlets (Alhambra, Condor, Leslieville, Nordegg, Withrow) and the Summer Village of Burnstick Lake.

We are actively monitoring the situation and continue to follow Alberta Health Services (AHS) instructions. The health, safety and well-being of County residents, businesses and employees remains Clearwater County’s top priority.

On March 17, 2020, Clearwater County temporarily activated its Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC) to centralize resource tracking and business continuity planning and to activities to date include:  

---

Clearwater County will continue to follow direction of Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services (AHS), which is the authority of jurisdiction related to pandemic. The Province has a comprehensive COVID19 website and a variety of credible, easy to understand information for the public. Below is a summary of links residents might find helpful to learn more about the new virus and the steps you can take to keep yourself and your family healthy.

 

The provincial medical officers of health will be using this website for daily updates on the latest information.

 

Alberta's Relaunch Strategy

• Alberta Biz Connect
• Workplace guidance and supports to help businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-19 begin to reopen and resume operations safely.
• Guidance for Private and Municipal Campgrounds
• This guidance is intended to support operators in reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in private and municipal campgrounds. Campground operators must also follow the Workplace Guidance for Business Owners.

Resources for Individuals

• Canada Emergency Response Benefit - Service Canada
• Clearwater Regional Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)
• Government of Canada - Action on COVID-19
• Government of Alberta - COVID-19 Info for Albertans
• Government of Alberta - Emergency Financial Assistance
• Mental Health Resources: During COVID-19

Financial Support

• Government of Alberta Emergency Financial Assistance
• Government of Alberta Deferrals
• Changes to Employment Insurance (EI) in Canada

Business Impact Survey

• All Clearwater County businesses and entrepreneurs are encouraged to participate in the COVID-19 Alberta Business Impact Survey to help gather consistent, high level data on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic to Alberta businesses, specifically to help identify immediate and emerging business needs and trends. This information is anonymous and will help Economic Development Officers working with municipalities across Alberta analyze the current impacts and prepare to assist with recovery. 

Resources for Businesses & Employers

Regional Business Support Hotline During COVID-19:

• A Regional Business Support Hotline has launched in a partnership with Town of Carstairs, Clearwater County, Cremona, Town of Didsbury, Mountain View County and Town of Sundre. Businesses can call the Hotline at 403-556-3130 (Monday-Friday from 10-3pm) to speak to a live person from each municipality's respective economic development officer for information about available provincial and federal support programs. Provided to the communities at no cost by O-Net.
• Clearwater County - extension 6

Health & Safety Information for Employers & Employees:

• World Health Organization - Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19
• Coronavirus Advice: How Employers Can Protect Their Staff and Business
• What should entrepreneurs do to prepare? - BDC
• Keeping your employees safe (CFIB)
• Public Health Guidance for Cleaning & Disinfection:
• Environmental Cleaning in Public Facilities
• List of Hard Surface Disinfectants for use against coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Signage and Posters for COVID-19:
• Government of Alberta Information Posters
• Alberta Health Services COVID-19 Posters
• Public Health Recommendations for Food Establishments
• Public Health Recommendations for Hotels, Hostels and Inns
• Public Health Recommendations for Personal Services Facilities
• Public Health Guidance for Congregate Living Sites:
• Guidelines for COVID-19 Outbreak Prevention, Control and Management in Congregate Living Sites
• Addendum to Outbreak Management and Pandemic Planning Resources for COVID-19
• Preparedness for Congregate Living Sites

Government Programs & Assistance:

• Government of Canada COVID-19 Resources for Canadian Business
• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Funding Programs
• EDC Funding Programs
• WED Funding for Tourism Operators and SMEs
• Farm Credit Canada COVID-19 Support Program

Business Continuity:

• Business Continuity Plan
• Business Continuity Checklist - Calgary Chamber of Commerce
• CDC: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
• Crisis Communication Plan Template – Canadian Chamber of Commerce
• Business Continuity & Recovery Plan Template – Canadian Chamber of Commerce
• MYD Global YouTube Channel on "All things disaster"
• New Employment Insurance Provisions
• Mass Gathering Restrictions
• COVID-19 Continuity - Supporting leaders in business

Industry Partners Update and Information:

• International Tourism updates with Destination Canada
• Travel Alberta updates for Tourism Industry
• Public Health Guidance for Work Camps
• Public Health Guidance Document for Shelters

Other Resources

• Tips for Alberta Business and Community Leaders Working to Address the Social and Economic Fall-Out from the Coronavirus
• COVID-19 Guidance for the Public Transport Industry
• Community-based measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Canada
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Guidance documents
• Maps in Canada: This GIS Hub is provided by Esri Canada to share information about the coronavirus pandemic. Information sources include the Community Map of Canada, the Living Atlas, Environics Analytics and others
• Map of Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE)