(File Photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

New Measures for Melfort

City of Melfort to close parks and playgrounds, reduce staff hours

Mar 24, 2020 | 10:00 AM

Fewer city staff and local parks and playground closures are some of the latest provisions the City of Melfort has announced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brent Lutz, the city’s Director of Development Planning, and Community Relations, said the change in hours is one of several announcements in a public advisory Monday.

“We’re scaling up in ways of protecting our staff and our community. We’re taking further actions today, as of [Monday] morning. We have advised our staff not to report to work as they regularly would for the next two weeks,” he said.

General enquires to the city hall switchboard and emails to the general city email will be answered between 9 a.m. and noon, but outside those hours, people will be directed to leave a message or call one of the emergency numbers.

Lutz said those staff will be available for emergencies and to help provide basic essential services. When asked if some staff were laid off, Lutz said that some management staff are currently working from home.

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“We’ve advised our regular staff to go home and be available,” Lutz told northeastNOW. “So we’re considering them presently working at home and they are available to us should we need them.”

As for what “basic essential services” or emergencies would mean, the release stated the regional landfill will remain open only to licensed commercial customers from 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., and the Handi Van will also remain operational, but only for emergencies. Lutz said staff may be needed for things like road work, especially with lots of melting happening around the city, that would also include snow removal as there is snow in the forecast for the week.

Lutz added when staff are called out, they will be limited to one person per vehicle, and crews will be no more than five people per call.

There are also some new provisions for the public.

“Effective immediately, all outdoor public gathering spots, including parks and playgrounds will now be closed,” Lutz said.

The release also asked members of the general public to do their part to help limit the spread of the coronavirus. Most of the points made in the release are the same that the province continues to urge. Things such as staying home and practicing social distancing, as well as only having one person leave your house at one time if needed. It also states that “non essential businesses should consider the safety of their customers and staff and stay home to reduce the possibility of transmission of the virus.”

Meanwhile, the city also mentioned some plans if things do get worse in Melfort, and extra help is needed in the health care sector. The release said city staff will be available if called upon to support local physicians or hospital staff. Lutz said they are also working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

“We have made some of our facilities, which we closed over a week ago, available to the Saskatchewan Health Authority, should they need them for any purpose,” he said. “So we stand by ready to support whatever their needs may be.”

The one facility Lutz did mention would be available to the Saskatchewan Health Authority is the Kerry Vickar Centre.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6