By Chris Brown

'A very, very, good example'

Hatters praised for responsible choices throughout COVID-19

Jul 21, 2020 | 1:01 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — City officials gave a big kudos to Hatters today at the regular COVID-19 update.

Mayor Ted Clugston and director of emergency management Merrick Brown both praised residents for how they responded to Echo Dale beach opening on Friday.

“I was very, very happy and pleased that the residents of Medicine Hat are continuing to follow the rules as best as they can,” Clugston said.

Brown said he was optimistic before the opening last week and it worked out. He said the choices Hatters have made over the past four months made it possible for the city to reopen the beach and keep it open.

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Many were concerned after seeing how people behaved at Sylvan Lake when its beach opened the weekend prior.

“It was great to see we didn’t have another Sylvan Lake, frankly and I think its representative in our cases,” added Clugston. “I think everybody is aware the cases are starting to rise again in Alberta but for the most part in Medicine Hat, once again Hatters are following the rules and making a very, very good example for the rest of the province.”

Cases across the province have risen by 751 over the past week; Medicine Hat accounts for just three of those. The city currently has 54 total cases – five active, 48 recovered and one death.

Brown said that even though the numbers are good for Medicine Hat, now is not the time to let our collective guard down and to continue following the public health recommendations.

“This is the point where we need to be as vigilant as ever when it comes to practising some of those measures,” he said. “It works and it’s important.”

Brown also said that a mandatory mask order is not being considered by the city at the moment, saying they will continue to take guidance from Alberta Health Services on the matter.

Other provinces have instituted mask orders and the City of Calgary is discussing it this week.

Brown also mentioned the river has dropped from speeds of more than 1,200 cubic metres per second to a near-normal level of about 260 cubic metres per second and that temporary flood prevention measures erected in late May and early June will begin to come down.

City officials are monitoring and assessing use of the facilities already re-opened and using that to inform when others will be open. The open facilities are not currently reaching the lowered capacity limits, said Brown.