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By Alex McCuaig

City activates emergency management plan

UPDATED – City takes next step in COVID 19 preparations

Mar 13, 2020 | 11:31 AM

MEDICINE HAT — The city has announced it has activated it’s emergency management plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as of Thursday night.

Mayor Ted Clugston and city Emergency Manager Merrick Brown stressed calm for residents while reiterating that Medicine Hat is well prepared to deal with the evolving situation.

“I want to encourage the citizens, the residents of Medicine Hat to remain calm but cautious and considerate and compassionate to their fellow citizens,” said Clugston. “I have the ultimate confidence in my city employees, the plans that we have and procedures going forward.”

Clugston added the city has some of the best resilliancy plans for emergent situations, “and we have proven in the past we can get through incidents like this and we will get through this incident.”

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Emergency manager Merrick Brown said the move to activate the city’s emergency management plan came after yesterday’s announcements from Alberta Health.

“This allows us to move through a methodical coordination process as it relates to decision making for city operations and city events,” said Brown.

That also involves city employees, all of whom are being asked to self-isolate on return from travel outside the country.

All communications regarding operations of city-owned facilities will be posted on the city’s website.

Brown ended the press availability with what is now becoming a common refrain by stating, “wash your hands, personal hygene, self-isolate, stay informed and limit travel.”