Screengrab from video

By Alex McCuaig

City press conference

Mayor commends Hat residents, hints at generous municipal relief package

Apr 21, 2020 | 11:49 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The city held a COVID-19 update outside City Hall Tuesday morning, strongly advising the public to follow Alberta Health Services guidelines to maintain physical and stay home if sick.

Mayor Ted Clugston said he is proud to be mayor of a city right now where, “the vast majority of citizens, residents have been very diligent in understanding and following the rules.”

Clugston said there are pockets of individuals who may not following all the rules be but the results of the majority of residents complying with the AHS directives speak for themselves.

“I would say that Medicine Hat has – on a per capita basis – some of the lowest active cases in the province of Alberta and all we have to do is look to our neighbours 100 kilometres away from here in Brooks to see what’s happening with community transmission,” said Clugston. “My heart goes out to the community of Brooks right now.”

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Clugston said that it’s time for neighbours to put aside disputes, adding, “if you have an axe to grind, this is not the time.”

The mayor also asked residents to understand the response to the situation is largely being driven by the provincial government and health authorities as well as the federal government.

“The city is only in a backup role, supporting role so I’m going to ask you to please, please, please direct your inquiries to the appropriate level of government,” Clugston said.

The mayor also hinted at an upcoming municipal relief program he expects will be one of the most generous by a local government in the country. However, he added, the city-owed oil assets will be suspended due to the current crisis.

Merrick Brown, director of emergency management, said if residents follow the general rules of physical distancing, staying home if sick and coughing into one’s elbow, the city should be able to mitigate a number of health and social issues.

Brown commended residents for maintaining those physical distancing requirements on the city’s sidewalks and trail systems, stating, “that is how we are actually preventing the spread of COVID-19.”

As for emergency planning for flood events, Brown said the city is putting, “a COVID-19 touch on them,” rather than a complete reworking of the strategies.

He added that while there is a high snowpack in the Cypress Hills and mountains, without the combination of that with rain, high temperatures and above average soil moisture, “you’re not going to get a flood.”

Mayor Clugston indicated media availabilities such as Tuesday’s will become a weekly occurrence.