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By Shaun Penner

Economic relaunch

“This is not throwing the doors wide open”: City, County respond to province’s relaunch strategy

May 2, 2020 | 5:05 AM

Grande Prairie Mayor Bill Given says he is glad to see the province has a detailed plan to move forward with gradually relaunching the provincial economy, but he isn’t celebrating too much just yet.

Responding to Thursday’s unveiling of a multi-stage plan to begin re-opening businesses and services shuttered due to COVID-19, Given said he is glad to see there is a little bit of light finally beginning to show at the end of the coronavirus tunnel, but more hurdles remain ahead before life can go back to “normal”.

The province’s plan will allow some businesses including some retail shops, restaurants and hair stylists, to re-open with restrictions as early as May 14 as part of the first stage of a three-stage relaunch strategy. But that target date is still a moving one.

“I think its important that everyone listens very clearly to the premier’s words that the plan is variable,” said Given. “I know a lot of focus was on stage one and the May 14 date, but the premier was very clear that that is a flexible date.”

Prior to progressing into stage one, or stage two or three, health measures need to meet government standards based on the advice of the chief medical officer, such as continued low levels of hospitalization and ICU admissions, as well as strong outbreak controls.

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This means measures like two metres physical distancing and enhanced personal hygiene will need to continue for the foreseeable future. Given adds on that point that the premier made it clear that should an outbreak happen in Grande Prairie, or elsewhere, heavier restrictions could be enforced locally.

“We need to recognize that this is not ‘throwing the doors wide open’. This is intended to be a measured approach that really respects the advice of health officials.”

A cautionary tale Given looks to is what his fellow Alberta Urban Municipalities Association board member, Barry Morishita, is dealing with as a recent outbreak has hit the community of Brooks, where Morishita is the mayor.

As of Friday, Brooks’ total of cases had shot up to 950, while four people in that community have passed away.

Brooks did not report its first case of COVID-19 until April 8.

“For us locally, it’s a good reminder that things can seem to be going okay, until they are not,” said Given. “That’s why, following those public health recommendations continues to be very, very important.”

Meantime, Council members from the County of Grande Prairie issued a statement Friday also addressing the province’s strategy.

They, like Given, appreciate the province’s plan, but know the fight against the pandemic continues on.

“We appreciate we cannot simply return to how things were prior to the COVID-19 outbreak in Alberta and that protective measures and restrictions will still be needed over the coming weeks and months,” reads the statement. “While many will want to see this process expedited, it is important we take a cautious and balanced approach to maintain a low risk of an outbreak in our region and keep us moving forward in our recovery.”

Both the City and County continue to work with the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership in its COVID-19 response, and continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation on a day-to-day basis.