March 16, 2020
Public Service Announcement
For Immediate Release
Update – Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
SACKVILLE, N.B. — The Town of Sackville wished to advise residents that we are continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation very closely and following the instructions given by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for New Brunswick.
In an effort to protect our employees, to continue to provide essential services to residents, and to help reduce the spread of the virus, the following measures have been implemented and are based on the information we currently have. Given the manner in which the COVID-19 situation is progressing, we will look to provide further updates as this situation continues to develop.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES
Following the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer of Health of the Province to not have groups of more than 150 people and to respect the social distance of 2 metres (6 feet), our recreational facilities (except our parks and trails) will be closed to the public effective Monday, March 16 at noon, until further notice. All recreation programs are cancelled until further notice.
All programs at the Sackville Public Library are currently suspended, but regular hours remain. Residents should call the Library before visiting the facility as the circumstances may change.
The Public Works Facility, Civic Centre and Bill Johnstone Activity Centre are closed to the public.
The Fire Station operational areas are available to active members only and required town staff.
Access to the secure area of Town Hall will be limited to the Mayor and Town employees only, and other authorized visitors will be restricted as much as possible.
All deliveries, courier pick-ups, etc., will continue at Town facilities with minimal interaction.
We will work with our community stakeholders to encourage cancellation and/or postponement for non-Town facilitated events and programs.
These measures are intended to reduce the spread of the virus to protect the health of our employees and community. In all other respects, it is business as usual for our organization, including Office Hours at Town Hall, snow clearing, garbage collection, police and fire protection, water and wastewater utilities, etc.
CLEANING OF TOWN FACILITIES
The municipality has already taken measures in its facilities to try to reduce the risks of contamination, such as:
- The frequency of cleaning in high traffic areas has been increased.
- Additional cleaning has been introduced in public areas.
- New automatic hand sanitizing stations have been installed throughout Town Hall.
- Posting of COVID-19 information posters, websites and other information as produced by the provincial government.
- Monitoring of soap dispensers in order to ensure that they are always filled.
BILL PAYMENTS
Bill payments can be made online or at Town Hall.
TRAVEL FOR TRAINING AND MEETINGS OUTSIDE THE PROVINCE
For prevention reasons, work-related travel for training and meetings that is to take place outside the province is suspended for our employees, with the exception of the Amherst area which is permitted with management authorization.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
The Town is following the Federal and Provincial Government’s travel advice, including:
- All employees have been encouraged to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice.
- All travellers arriving in Canada from international points as of March 13, 2020 must self-isolate for 14 days. Self-isolation means staying at home and avoiding contact with other people to help prevent the spread of disease to others in your home and your community.
- All international travellers must self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after returning to Canada. If you start having symptoms, immediately call Tele-care 8-1-1. Describe your symptoms and travel history. They will provide advice on what you should do.
REDUCING THE POSSIBILITIES OF TRANSMISSION
Here are the measures suggested by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for New Brunswick to reduce the possibility of spreading the virus as presented on the website of Health New Brunswick:
Key messages include:
- Wash your hands often.
- Cough and sneeze into the elbow.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands.
- Cough into a tissue and throw it away.
- Stay at home if you are sick.
- Avoid contact with a sick person.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if there is no soap and water.
- Avoid shaking hands.
- Practice Social distancing, (maintain at least 2 metres (6 feet) distance between yourself and others)
- If a person experiences symptoms, call Tele-care 8-1-1
Employees are strongly encouraged to be mindful of good health practices and strict adherence to the measures as outlined by the Province of NB to help reduce the delay and spread of COVID-19.
We are in contact with the Province’s Emergency Measures Organization and are currently reviewing Town operations to ensure business continuity and service delivery (especially essential services) in the event of an emergency activation.
Additional measures may be added as directed by the New Brunswick Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. We will keep you informed through our social media sites and website.
For more information, please visit the following websites:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
Media contact:
Jamie Burke
Senior Manager of Corporate Projects
Town of Sackville
506.540-0090
j.burke@sackville.com