COVID changes in effect at city facilities Monday
By COLLIN GALLANT on September 18, 2021.
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Operational and capacity changes will come into effect Monday morning at city facilities while officials review provincial a “restriction exemption program” that may again change how city buildings and services are used by the public. City hall will remain open to all members of the public, but some health measures will be reinstated, such as access limited to a single entrance and capacity limits in place at public meetings. The REP, announced Wednesday, allows facility operators and business owners to avoid capacity restrictions if they take part in a vaccine verification program being developed by the provincial government. Business groups and municipalities have called for greater detail about how to meet requirements. Local officials say they are still examining how the program could be applied to at civic buildings, which, say local officials, vary greatly in the type and scope of services they provide. “The development and roll out of REPs may be staggered and look somewhat different from one facility to the next, and some facilities may continue with restrictions in place,” said director of emergency management Merrick Brown. Regardless, masking and physical distancing is required in all indoor public spaces throughout the province, and the city will observe capacity limits at facilities and reinstitute some operational practices in place last spring. As of Monday morning, capacity is lowered to one-third of fire code capacity at city buildings, venues and rec centres, including for participants and spectators at performances and sports. The city will also suspend group fitness classes. At city hall, public access to the parkade entrance to the building will again be closed in order to better track the total number of visitors, and street level access is available only at the southwest vestibule. City council and other meetings in the chambers will be limited to 40 members of the public. Library’s position The Medicine Hat Public Library says it won’t deny service by requiring proof of vaccination, but will impose capacity limits and follow masking and distancing requirements at the downtown branch “If you need to book a computer to book a vaccine or print off your vaccination card – we’re here for you,” read a message of the MHPL website. The facility is evaluating programming and reminds patrons that “no contact” pickup can still be arranged, and single-family bookings of the child’s play space and theatre in early mornings is still available for single household families. 16-15
