By Liam Verster

Social distancing, hand hygiene, masks in public

Toews encourages continued use of COVID-19 guidelines while mask policies are discussed

Aug 4, 2020 | 6:00 AM

While the province has left it up to municipal governments to come up with policies regarding mandatory masks, the Minister of Finance and Grande Prairie-Wapiti MLA Travis Toews is asking the public not to become complacent, and to follow the COVID-19 guidelines set out by the Province.

“We really must continue to social distance, wash our hands, practice good hygiene, and when we’re unable to social distance, masks should be worn.”

He says COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have been on the rise in recent weeks, and by following the guidelines, they can prevent the second wave of the novel coronavirus from having a big impact on the province, which could potentially lead to another shutdown.

“In the event we continue to act responsibly, we’ll be able to continue keeping as much of our economy and ultimately our practices open as possible. I know that’s what all Albertans want, certainly from an economic standpoint, it’s important that we don’t have to start shutting components of the economy down, and in order to continue to open up we’re going to have to continue to be self-responsible.”

Toews says the government would be quite reluctant to go back into another forced shutdown, but if Albertans can continue to follow the guidelines set out by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, then that will reduce the risk of a second wave forcing more closures.

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Toews also says the province is doing more to offer tests for those with symptoms, and encourages people to get tested through Alberta Health Services.

“One of the fundamental rules is if any individual is feeling sick, is showing symptoms at all, we need to stay home and self-isolate, and encourage people to get tested. In those instances Alberta’s been a leader across the country in terms of testing capacity, and that’s allowed us to flatten the curve, as public health officials have gone forward with contact tracing, and assisting other who might have come in contact with an infected individual, and assisting them with self-isolating.”

He also says asymptomatic testing can also be very positive, as it allows people who may be worried about carrying the contagious disease with finding out their status. Currently, the only pharmacy offering asymptomatic tests in Grande Prairie is the Shoppers Drug Mart in the Wapiti Centre.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Government is leaving it up to municipalities to come up with Mandatory Mask/Face Covering policies. Toews says the Provincial Government has decided that, at times, a regional approach would make sense with dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A one-size-fits-all approach across the province often will in fact create greater burden on Albertans when in some regions it’s just not necessary. So Calgary and Edmonton have decided to move forward with [mask policies], I know other municipalities are considering it, and my expectation is that they’re considering it relative to the benefits, and relative to the COVID risks in the community.”

The City of Grande Prairie hasn’t decided whether or not to put a mandatory mask policy in place as of yet, but a letter from Mayor Bill Given says City Council will discuss the idea of a policy in the coming weeks.