Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

The Town of Olds is actively monitoring the situation through Public Health Canada and Alberta Health Services as well as meeting regularly with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency regarding COVID-19. This is a fluid situation that is changing rapidly. Please monitor this page for any local COVID-19 news. If you have concerns or questions about novel coronavirus (COVID-19), please refer to the Alberta Health Services Novel Coronavirus Page.

For new provincial laws and/or regulations regarding the coronavirus, visit the Alberta Government webpage, COVID-19 Info for Albertans.

For information from the Federal Government, visit the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) page and Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.

Mayor announces Business Reopening Grants

Local storefront businesses are eligible for a $500 grant and home based businesses will be eligible for a $100 grant in the business relauch after Covid-19.

Video - Playgrounds set to open June 1

Playgrounds reopen June 1. Physical distancing guidelines remain in place. Brian Powell, Director of Emergency Management explains what that means to you and what precautions to take.

Alberta Biz Connect

Alberta Biz Connect - Get Guidance to Reopen

Workplace guidance and supports to help businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-19 begin to reopen and resume operations safely.

Alberta's Relaunch Strategy

Please visit the Government of Alberta Relauch Strategy Page.

Resources for Business

Municipal Government

The Economic Support and Recovery Task Force is committed to assisting the businesses in our community as they are impacted by COVID-19.
The Task Force is compiling a list of programs and resources and will continue to update with additional resources when available.

Business Outreach: We have developed a survey to help us better understand the impacts of COVID-19 on our business community. Complete the Business Impact Survey here.

What's open in Olds? Here's a list of businesses that are open

Business Continuity Plans

Employers should consider their Business Continuity Plan and how COVID-19 could impact their workplace.

Additional information

Tips for Alberta Business and Community Leaders Addressing Social and Economic Fall-Out from COVID-19

Government Roles and Responsibilities During COVID-19

Questions or concerns?
Email or call

economicbusiness@olds.ca

403-556-6981

Provincial Government

Alberta Government Financial Supports for Businesses and Organizations

Alberta Government Guidance for Reopening

Guidance for Retail Business
Relauch Strategy direct links for business

Workplace Guidance for Alberta's relaunch

Essential Services Defined

Restrictions on gathering sizes; all non-essential business ordered closed

Alberta Employment Standards Rules

Public Health Guidelines for Cleaning of Public Facilities

Alberta Bits and Pieces Program

Corporate Income Tax Changes
Education Property Tax Deferral

WCB Premium Payment Deferral
Utility Payment Deferral
Tourism Levy Deferral

When hazards related to COVID-19 cannot be completely eliminated, the following hierarchy of controls are required:

First choice: Engineering controls These control the hazard at the source. Examples include placing barriers or partitions between staff, removing seats from lunch rooms and dining areas, re-arranging lockers, restricting general access to the business and increasing ventilation.
Second choice: Administrative controls These controls change the way workers, volunteer and patrons interact. Examples include policies for physical distancing, limiting hours of operations and respiratory etiquette and providing adequate facilities, supplies and reminders for hand hygiene. Increased frequency of cleaning as outlined above is also required.
Third choice: PPE PPE is necessary when physical distancing of 2 metres or physical barriers cannot be maintained by administrative and engineering controls. PPE controls the hazard at the worker, volunteer and client level. Examples of PPE include gloves, eye protection, gown, face protections, procedure/surgical masks or NIOSH-N95 masks1 . When a hazard cannot be controlled by a single control method, the business owner should utilize a combination of these controls to provide an acceptable level of safety.

PPE should be stored, used and maintained as per the manufacturer’s instruction for use, so it can perform its intended function to protect staff and volunteers.

If a mask is deemed necessary, surgical and non-surgical masks are most often sufficient. Respirators (e.g. N95 masks) are only required when the work might cause large droplets containing COVID-19 to be aerosolized into tiny airborne particles1. This is not common in a majority of business settings.

PPE should be discarded in a lined garbage bag in between clients.

PPE, such as eye protection, may be reused by the same user, only if the manufacturer allows it and has provided clear cleaning and disinfecting instructions.

Municipal Financial Relief

The Town of Olds is offering financial relief for Utilities, Property Taxes and Account Recievables.

Detailed information on the Town Services Page.

For those paying Utilities aor Property taxes by automatic withdrawal, please see COVID-19 Impact on Paying Utilities & Taxes

Town Services

Town Administration Office - closed to public, services still available

Town Office Closed, but staff is still working and phone lines are open from 8:30 am - 4:30pm.
For mail or courier deliveries, please call 403-556-6981 and someone will assist you.
PAYMENTS
1. Please drop your payments in the drop box located to the left of the front doors (envelopes provided).
2. Pay through your on-line banking.
3. Pay via credit card by accessing Virtual City Hall through our Town of Olds website at www.olds.ca
4. Pay by mailing a cheque to:
Town of Olds
4515 46 Street
Olds, AB T4H 1R5
Cheques made payable to the “Town of Olds”
For any assistance please, contact us at admin@olds.ca.

Fire Services Building

Closed to public, services still available

Town Operations Centre

Closed to public, services still available

Curbside Bin Pickup

The curbside Bin Pickup Schedule has not been affected.

Cleanup Week originally scheduled for the week of May 11 has been postponed until further notice.

See the Garbage, Compost and Recycling Page for complete information.

Facility Closures & Event Cancellations

Olds Continues Recreation Closures and Event Restrictions to July 6, 2020

Mass Gatherings, Sporting Activities, Celebrations & Events with more than 15 people are PROHIBITED.
The Town of Olds is advising organizations and individual event organizers to reschedule or CANCEL such activities during this time.
The COVID-19 pandemic response is a constantly evolving situation. We understand this continues to be a difficult time for many people, these local decisions are aligned with Federal and Provincial recommendations to ensure the safety of our community.
The Town of Olds can not predict how long restrictions will remain in place, however if relaxations are announced by the Province, adjustments may be made.

Sincere thanks to everyone in Olds & area - to date we have done an excellent job flattening the curve and protecting our community. The Town of Olds has the best interests of citizens in mind and want to ensure that the vast efforts made to date have not been made in vain!

We understand that you may have questions regarding our facilities. Here is some updated information that you may find useful:

Public Facility Closures

Mountain View Museum - Open Tuesday, May 19
Fire Services Building - Closed to public, services still available
Nu2U Thrift Store - Open June 2
Town Operations Centre - Closed to public, services still available
Olds Aquatic Centre - Phase 3 of provincial relaunch plan
Olds Sportsplex - Phase 3 of provincial relaunch plan
Olds Municipal Library - Closed to public, online services available

Outdoor Public Facility Closures

Off-leash Dog Park - Open with physical and social distancing guidelines in effect.
Park spaces, green spaces, natural areas, and walking trails - Open with physical distancing guidelines in effect. Dogs must be leashed.
Playground Structures - Open June 1, with physical distancing guidelines in place
Ball Diamonds - Phase 2 of provincial relaunch plan
Skatepark- Open June 1, with physical distancing guidelines in place
OR Hedges Campground - Open May 27, with restictions in place
Splashpark - Phase 3 of provincial relaunch plan
Soccer fields / Football fields - Phase 2 of provincial relaunch plan

Garage Sales / Yard Sales

Event Cancellations

Canada Day Celebrations, July 1, Cancelled

Cleanup Week - week of May 11. Postponed until further notice. See the Garbage, Compost and Recycling Page for complete information.

Humpty's Championship Cup - Rescheduled to April 2021

COVID-19 Outreach - Great Neighbours program

Great Neighbours Program COVID-19 Outreach includes the following

Milestone Celebration Drive-by Greetings
Isolation Check-in
Grocery & Prescription Delivery
Food Bank
Income Tax Preparation

Visit the Great Neighbours Program Page

Volunteers

Volunteers play many important roles in communities across our province. Volunteers and volunteer organizations must follow all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to protect themselves and those they help.

Volunteer organizations may have more than 15 volunteers and/or employees in one location.
Volunteers and employees may work together at distances of less than 2 metres, where unavoidable.
Volunteer organizations must take actions to prevent the transmission of infection among employees, volunteers and the people they are helping.
Proper hygiene and cleaning practices must be followed within the volunteer organization.
Any employee or volunteer with symptoms, including cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose, or sore throat, is required by law to isolate and may not participate in volunteer or workplace activities.
Information for non-health care volunteers.

Mental Health Supports

Your mental health matters

If you are having difficulties dealing with the effects of COVID-19, there are resources available to you.

For younger people seeking assistance, there is the Kids Help Phone. No matter what you want to talk about. Totally private. 24/7.

Alberta Health Services has a free, text-based service called Text4Hope. By texting COVID19HOPE to 393939, you will receive daily text messages on healthy thinking or actions to improve your mood.

For more resources, visit Alberta Health Services Help In Tough Times.

You are not alone. Ask for help.

Protective Services

For all emargencies, dial 911

RCMP Information

The Olds RCMP have implemented measures to help protect community members and RCMP employees during the COVID-19 pandemic response. Front counter services at the detachment, like all others in the province, have been modified. See full document here.

Municipal Enforcement

For all resident concerns regarding the Town please continue to use Town of Olds Report A Problem page.

Olds Fire Department

The Olds Fire Department is closed to the public, with services still available. Visit the Olds Fire Department Page.

News Releases

April 24: Olds Continues Recreation Closures and Event Restrictions

March 31: COVID-19 Financial Relief from Town of Olds

March 20: Olds RCMP Detachment Response to COVID-19

March 17: Town of Olds Activates EOC - Emergency Operations Centre

March 16: Town of Olds Closes Public Facilities to Stem COVID-19

March 13: COVID-19 Impact on Council Meetings

March 13: Town of Olds Facility & Event Updates Regarding COVID-19

Stay Safe and Healthy

Preventative Measures

During this time, focus on prevention of spreading the virus.

To help protect you and your family against all respiratory illnesses, including flu and COVID-19, you should:

Wash your hands often and well
Avoid touching your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill
Contact your primary health provider or Health Link 811 if you have questions or concerns about your health
When sick, cover your cough and sneezes and then wash your hands
Hard surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers (COVID-19) - Health Canada
Public Health Guidelines for Environmental Cleaning of Public Facilities

Limit Social Activity

Use this time to stay home connect with family - playing board games or watching movies. Keep an eye out for neighbors who might need help with shovelling sidewalks or ensure they have what they need. Check in on those who are vulnerable to illness to ensure they are ok - but only do so by telephone/text/email.

Get outside for fresh air and exercise, but practice social distancing. Do not gather in groups, stay two meters (six feet) apart and do not use public playground facilities.

Guide to Physical Distancing

Help Reduce the Spread of COVID-19

Cohort Families

Families with children who may require additional support can partner with another family to create a cohort family.
This is an agreement to maintain physical distancing from everyone else.
All family members in a cohort must:

be completely committed to isolating from people outside the cohort family, except when it is necessary, such as to go grocery shopping or pick up prescriptions
be healthy and not show any COVID-19 symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat)
not have underlying medical conditions
not be at high risk (for example, seniors)
have not travelled outside Canada in the last 14 days

Guidance on Outdoor Activities

When outdoors in public, take precautions to protect yourself and those around you:

For now, plan your activities with people from your own household or your cohort family.
Plan your activity in advance to ensure physical distancing is possible. If your activity involves a public place:
- consider going during non-peak hours
- walk along the sides of trails and other public pathways to maintain distance
Practice good hygiene:
- wash your hands frequently
- refrain from touching your face with unclean hands
- carry and use hand sanitizer
Wear a mask in public places to help limit the risk of spread to others if you will be within 2 metres of people other than members of your own household.
Download and use the ABTraceTogether mobile contact tracing app when out in public.

Mayor's Messages

Video Messages from Mayor Michael Muzychka

Mayor's Message - Grow Olds with us! (May 20)

Mayor's Message (April 7)

Mayor's Message (April 5)

Mayor's Message (March 31)

Mayor's Message (March 19)

Council Meetings

Council meeting schedules are on the Council Meetings Page. Instructions on attending a virtual Town Council Meeting are in the agenda for each meeting.

Public Health Orders and Complaints

Alberta Health Services

Novel Coronavirus Page

Government of Alberta

COVID-19 orders and legislation

Message to Returning International Travellers

Canadians returning from extended stays outside the country are reminded to self isolate. Do not stop to buy groceries or visit friends or family. Please refer to the following documents for returning travellers.

AHS Returning Traveller FAQ - Land Border Return (March 20)

Government of Canada Returning Traveller Guide (March 20)

The COVID-19 situation is unprecedented and this will require a cooperative effort from all three levels of government to not only address the health and safety of our residents but also provide some financial relief as well. The Town is working on options and we hope to announce these measures in the near future. Please keep watching our website, the newspaper, social media and listen to the radio for updates.

Covid-19 Complaints

To report matters requiring an officer’s attendance, including the following examples, please call:
Town of Olds Bylaw Complaint Line, 587-796-1193
•    A gathering that is in progress with more than 50 people.
•    Blatant physical distancing violations.
•    Blatant violations of the Public Health Act, such as use of closed spaces and observation of activities
and business prohibited by the Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMHO).
•    Breaches of CMOH/MOH directed isolation/quarantine requirements.

To report non-urgent concerns and questions you have regarding establishments not following Public Health Orders, including the following examples, residents are to notify Alberta Health Services via its Environmental Public Health Page or call 1-833-415-9179.

Concerns of too many people present in businesses that are allowed to be open, such as grocery stores.
Concerns about school and daycares.
Concerns whether a business is allowed to be open.
General questions about COVID-19, the Public Health Act, phases of relaunch, etc.

notifications Notice: