COVID-19 in Wheatland County
Alberta declared a state of public health emergency. Stronger mandatory measures are in effect as of Dec. 8 to help reduce case numbers and protect the health system. Learn more.
Albertans can and should confidently support Alberta businesses, while continuing to act responsibly and following all public health measures.- Get the ABTraceTogether mobile app
- Complete COVID-19 information for Albertans
- Updates from the Chief Medical Officer
Last updated: November 25 at 8:00 a.m.
Stop the spike
Alberta Biz Connect
Mandatory isolation
Public health orders
New ministerial orders and legislation have been implemented to support Albertans, prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect our economy.
Mandatory Face Masks
Under Public Health Order 41-2020, the Province of Alberta has mandated that face masks are now required for all public spaces.
If any businesses require a “face masks required” poster for your door, please feel free to download the poster to the left. Please note, this is not a Wheatland County bylaw, it is a Provincial public health order.
Physical
D I S T A N C I N G
Works
When out in public physical distancing still applies! Keep at least 2 meters or 6 feet from others. This health regulation is important to prevent the spread and will continue into Stage 3 of the province’s relaunch plan. When you see someone you know, choose an alternative greeting to handshakes and high fives: give a wave from at least 2 metres away.
All Albertans have a responsibility to help prevent the spread. Take steps to protect yourself and others:
- practice physical distancing and wear a mask in public
- practice good hygiene: wash hands often for at least 20 seconds, cover coughs and sneezes, and avoid touching face
- monitor for symptoms: cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat
- self-isolate for the legally-required 10 days if you have any symptoms that are not related to a pre-existing illness or medical condition
- take the COVID-19 self-assessment to access testing
Learn more ways to prevent the spread
Last updated: May 26
Albertans are encouraged to wear non-medical masks in public when it’s difficult to maintain physical distancing of 2 metres at all times.
Free masks are now available at all A&W, McDonald’s Canada and Tim Hortons drive-thru locations in Alberta.
Wearing a homemade or non-medical mask is another tool to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. It hasn’t been proven that masks protect the person wearing it, but it can help protect people from being exposed to your germs.
Learn how to get and wear masks properly
Last updated: June 9
Isolation can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Under public health order, you are legally required to isolate for:
- 14 days if you returned from international travel or are a close contact of a person with COVID-19, plus an additional 10 days from the onset of symptoms, should they occur
- 10 days if you have a cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose, or sore throat that is not related to a pre-existing illness or health condition
Learn how to isolate and prepare
Last updated: April 3 at 4 pm
Further information regarding events and gathering restrictions, provincial, national, and international travel recommendations, and restrictions for business operations can be found on the Government of Alberta’s website.
Cough
Fever (over 38°C)
Shortness of breath
Runny nose and/or sore throat
- Other symptoms can include: stuffy nose, painful swallowing, headache, chills, muscle or joint aches, feeling unwell in general, new fatigue or severe exhaustion, gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or unexplained loss of appetite), loss of sense of smell or taste, conjunctivitis (pink eye).
- Symptom of serious illness: difficulty breathing or pneumonia.
Last updated: May 4 at 3:30 pm
How it Spreads
COVID-19 is transmitted though tiny droplets of liquid produced by people who have the virus. These droplets spread by:- coughing, sneezing, talking, laughing, and singing
- touching objects or surfaces the virus has landed on and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth (bath towels, kitchen utensils, door knobs, etc.)
Last updated: May 2 at 7:30 pm
COVID-19 Alberta statistics
View interactive aggregate data on COVID-19 cases in Alberta on https://www.alberta.ca/stats/covid-19-alberta-statistics.htm
Select “municipality” to view total, active, and recovered case counts for Wheatland County.
We have compiled some support information for local businesses and the community.
There are many resources emerging and we will try to link them. We will also be developing some programming, so follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and here on the WC and Wheatland County websites.
Visit InfiniteWC.ca for more information and resource links.
If you violate a public health order and proceed to hold an event with an attendance higher than what’s permitted or keep a business open that’s been ordered to close, you may be subject to a fine.
Community peace officers and police will be able to issue tickets to enforce public health orders through amendments to the Public Health Act.
If you are concerned an establishment or event organizer is not following public health orders, you can:
- remind the person that not following public health orders is against the law and puts people at risk; and/or
- submit a complaint to AHS public health inspectors.
Wheatland County is acting in the interest of public safety, proactively responding to an evolving worldwide scenario involving COVID-19. Community health and safety is our priority. We will continue to take further steps to help reduce the risk to our residents, visitors, and employees.
Due to ongoing concerns with COVID-19, Wheatland County’s Public Works Shop remains closed until further notice. The Administrative Office is open to a limited capacity and the majority of staff are working remotely.
Wheatland County is still open for business. Residents can still apply for permits, pay tax and utility bills, register dogs, and more from the comfort of home. Various payment methods are available to pay for services without having to step foot into our office.
Wheatland County staff will still be monitoring emails and will also be available via phone. We ask that individuals with new business, call or email staff, and contact us to schedule a meeting.
Regular updates regarding playground and campground restrictions, council meeting procedural adjustments, and more can be found on our news page.
On May 22, 2020, playgrounds throughout Wheatland County were reopened.
Severn Dam and Beaupre campgrounds, and associated bathroom facilities, remain closed to further reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Residents are encouraged to use nearby paths and green spaces to walk, run, and play while enjoying the summer weather. Remember to stay a minimum of 2 metres away from others and step off walkways, if safe to do so, to allow ample room for passing.
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Wheatland County has postponed several events as recommended by Alberta Health Services.
In light of recent events, Wheatland County Council passed a resolution adjusting the payment due date for property taxes. Property owners now have until August 31, 2020 to pay.
More information about available payment options, and due dates, can be found on our property tax page.
Year-round, administrative areas within our main office and shops are cleaned daily. During this outbreak, we are increasing our sanitation efforts by focusing on disinfecting hard surfaces, door handles, and frequently touched objects.
Additional barriers have been installed at the administration office and public works to protect visitors and staff in anticipation of our reopening.
The COVID-19 pandemic can have a significant impact on mental health.
Online resources are available if you need advice on handling stressful situations or ways to talk to children.
- Help in Tough Times (AHS)
- Mental health and coping with COVID-19 (CDC)
- Talking with children about COVID-19 (CDC)
- COVID-19 information for young kids and students (PDF, 122 KB)
If you need to talk, call the 24-hour help lines:
- Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642
- Addiction Help Line at 1-866-332-2322
If you or someone you know is at risk of family or sexual violence, help is available.
Family violence
- Call our 24-hour Family Violence Info Line at 310-1818 to get anonymous help in over 170 languages.
Chat live online with the Family Violence Info Line for support in English (8 am – 8 pm)
Sexual violence
- Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence can provide assistance in finding sexual assault support services (9 am – 9 pm daily):
- Call 1-866-403-8000 | 215+ languages
- Text 1-866-403-8000 | English
- Chat online | English
Other resources
Children are at a higher risk for neglect and abuse during times of uncertainty and crisis.
Call the 24-hour child abuse hotline at 1-800-387-KIDS (5437) if you think a child is being abused, neglected or sexually exploited.
We’re receiving two types of complaints related to consumer exploitation resulting from COVID-19:
- retail outlet stores raising prices for high-demand products (i.e. toilet paper, hand sanitizer)
- private individuals purchasing mass quantities of supplies and reselling them at an inflated premium
The Consumer Protection Act prevents suppliers from grossly raising prices with no explanation beyond what is reasonable for goods that are readily available.
Unlike commercial sales, the act does not explicitly cover private sales. We urge all Albertans to act with consideration and caution and to find ways to help support each other in this time.
File a consumer complaint
If you see prices for products or services in Alberta skyrocket because of COVID-19, you can report it through our Report-a-Ripoff submission form or by calling 1-877-427-4088.
Cyber security incidents involving malware and fraudulent activities, including identity theft, are being reported across Alberta in the wake of COVID-19.
- Anyone who receives a call asking for credit card information should hang up immediately and call the non-emergency line for local law enforcement.
- Albertans are encouraged to continue to exercise caution when clicking on links or providing personal information to people and organizations that request that information, unsolicited.
Protections are in place for residential and mobile homes site tenants facing financial hardship due to COVID-19:
- Rents on residential properties or mobile home sites will not increase while Alberta’s state of public health emergency remains in effect.
- Late fees cannot be applied to late rent payments until June 30 and cannot be collected retroactively for this time.
- Landlords and tenants need to work together to develop payment plans while COVID-19 is being managed.
- Landlords cannot issue a termination notice or make an application to recover possession due to non-payment of rent, unless they can demonstrate attempts to create a reasonable rent payment plan, or that the tenant failed to comply with an established payment plan.
- Landlords can still file applications and receive orders for possession if the reason for the eviction is unrelated to rent and/or utility payments, or if a tenant refused to negotiate or comply with a payment plan.
Information regarding entry
Landlords and other individuals, including prospective tenants or purchasers of a property, are not permitted to enter a property if:
- the landlord is sick, isolating or showing any symptoms
- the tenant is sick, isolating or showing any symptoms
- the prospective tenant or purchaser is sick, isolating or showing any symptoms
Landlord access is still permitted if there is an emergency.
In the event of a showing, if a landlord, current tenant and prospective tenant are all healthy, the landlord may enter the property, provided:
- strict physical distancing and sanitizing methods are maintained
- a minimal number of people are present at once
- proper notice is given to the tenant
Resources
Last updated: May 1 at 2:45 pm
Alberta credit unions
- Credit union members will have access to a variety of programs and solutions designed to ease difficulties with loan payments and short-term cash flow. Contact your credit union to work out a plan for your personal situation.
ATB Financial customers
- Personal banking customers can apply for a deferral on their ATB loans, lines of credit and mortgages for up to 6 months.
Residential education property tax rates will be frozen at last year’s level – reversing the 3.4% population and inflation increase added in Budget 2020. This will save households $55 million.
The Government of Alberta is implementing a 6 month, interest free moratorium on Alberta student loan payments for all Albertans in the process of repaying these loans.
- Alberta Student Loan repayments will be paused for 6 months, beginning March 30, 2020.
- Interest will not accrue during this period. This mirrors the approach of the Canada Student Loans Program.
- Students do not need to apply for the repayment pause.
- Borrowers may continue making payments during this period if they choose and this will not affect their eligibility to receive the benefit.
Residential customers can defer electricity and natural gas bill payments until June 18, 2020 to ensure no one will be cut off, regardless of the service provider.
- This program is available to Albertans who are experiencing financial hardship as a direct result of COVID-19, such as those who have lost their employment or had to leave work to take care of an ill family member.
- Call your utility provider directly to arrange for a deferral on all payments until June 18, 2020.
Albertans may be eligible for financial supports through the federal government:
- Employment Insurance sickness benefits: Provides up to 15 weeks of income replacement if unable to work due to illness, injury or quarantine.
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): Provides up to $2,000 a month for 4 months.
- AISH and Income Support recipients can exempt a portion without affecting their benefits
- Canada Child Benefit: Eligible parents will receive $300 more per child with their May payment.
- GST Rebate increase: Provides a one-time special payment in May of up to $400 for single people and $600 for couples.
- Eased rules for Registered Retirement Income Funds
Nearly one million Albertans act as caregivers for loved ones experiencing challenges related to illness, disability or aging. These caregivers need support too.
Caregivers can get psychosocial and other peer and community supports by calling the toll-free caregiver advisor line at 1-877-453-5088 or going online to caregiversalberta.ca.
$30 million has been committed to charities, non-profits and civil society organizations to support their COVID-19 response.
More information on emergency funding for charities and not-for-profit organizations.
Last updated: March 30 at 11:00 am
Disability service providers play an essential role in supporting people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information see COVID-19 information for disability service providers.
There is currently no evidence to suggest:
- being pregnant increases your risk of getting COVID-19 or having serious complications
- the COVID-19 virus is transmitted to your baby during pregnancy, delivery or through breastmilk
However, there is always an increased risk of preterm or stillbirth with any significant maternal illness.
Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or are worried about leaving your home to attend appointments.
If you aren’t feeling well, take the online assessment to arrange testing
For more information, read the AHS COVID-19 and Pregnancy guide.
Worship leaders are encouraged to continue holding worship services and funerals remotely, but can offer multiple services to reduce attendance to 50 people or one-third of normal attendance, whichever is smaller and whichever ensures physical distancing will be maintained.
For more information, see guidance for places of worship (available in multiple languages)
Last updated: May 13 at 5 pm
Shelters and temporary or transitional housing facilities provide an essential service in Alberta during this time.
- These facilities are exempt from the mass gathering public health order and may provide shelter to more than 15 people – as long as risk mitigation strategies are followed, including maintaining a minimum of 2 metres distance from one another.
- All non-essential gatherings inside these facilities must include no more than 15 people.
- For more information, read:
We are working with community-based organizations, homeless shelters and women’s shelters to:
- update pandemic plans with guidelines and information specific to COVID-19
- expand shelter capacity and help current service providers to maintain physical distancing practices by finding additional space to house people
$30 million has been committed to adult homeless shelters and women’s emergency shelters to support their COVID-19 response.
Last updated: May 26
Government issued public health orders to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, among seniors and vulnerable groups for the following settings:
- Long-term care facilities
- Licensed supportive living facilities, including seniors lodges and group homes
- Licensed residential addiction treatment centres (under the Mental Health Services Protection Act)
Find updated guidelines and standards
Last updated: April 15 at 5:35 pm
Volunteers play many important roles in communities across our province.
Volunteers and volunteer organizations must follow all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to protect themselves and those they help.
- Volunteer organizations may have more than 15 volunteers and/or employees in one location.
- Volunteers and employees may work together at distances of less than 2 metres, where unavoidable.
- Volunteer organizations must take actions to prevent the transmission of infection among employees, volunteers and the people they are helping.
- Proper hygiene and cleaning practices must be followed within the volunteer organization.
- Any employee or volunteer with symptoms, including cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose, or sore throat, is required by law to isolate and may not participate in volunteer or workplace activities.
Information for non-health care volunteers (PDF, 43 KB)
Wheatland Family and Community Support Services also operate within the Wheatland County Administration Office. At this time, their offices will be available by appointment only. Please call 403-934-5335 to schedule a meeting.
Licensed daycare, out-of-school and preschool programs can operate as long as providers follow all public health orders and guidance for child care programs.
Guidance for child care and preschools during COVID-19.
Last updated: November 25 at 8:00 a.mm
Mandatory restriction – Provincewide – Starting Nov. 30
Grades 7-12 students
- Move to at-home learning Nov. 30 to Jan. 8, except during winter break*
- Resume in-person classes Jan. 11
- Diploma exams are optional for rest of the school year. Students and their families can choose whether to write an exam or receive an exemption for the January, April, June and August 2021 exams.
Grades K-6 students (including Early Childhood Services)
- Continue in-person learning until their scheduled winter break (generally Dec. 18*)
- Move to at-home learning after the winter break until Jan. 8
- Resume in-person classes Jan. 11
*Schools have different winter break schedules, check with your school for details.
Resources and additional information can be found on the Province of Alberta’s website.
The Alberta Government created a help line and email for parents of students, particularly those with disabilities during COVID 19 and at home learning:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-422-6548
Toll free: 310-0000, before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: studentsupport@gov.ab.ca
Student learning during COVID-19
Resources
- COVID-19 information for young kids and students (PDF, 122 KB)
Last updated: November 25 at 8 a.m.
In-person classes may resume, with restrictions, effective May 14, 2020. In the cities of Calgary and Brooks, in-person classes may not resume until June 1, 2020. Post-secondary institutions are encouraged to continue to hold classes remotely and limit in-person attendance on campus as much as possible.
Most schools are making decisions about course delivery for this fall. Contact your post-secondary institution, or visit their website, for more detailed information.
Learn about post-secondary learning during COVID-19
Resources:
Last updated: May 27 at 10 am
Alberta Government Response and Service Changes
For more information regarding the Government of Alberta’s response and service changes, visit their website.