Low numbers of COVID-19 for over a month now and a successful Stage One relaunch has prompted the Chestermere Emergency Management Agency (CHEMA) to rescind the public health orders that have been in effect due to the COVID pandemic.  

At 12:01 am this morning (June 12) those orders were lifted and on Monday, June 15th, Chestermere's Mayor will lift the city's State of Local Emergency (SOLE).

Mayor Marshall Chalmers says the decision to lift the SOLE was made, "In order to align with the Premier's announcement this week.  Council and CHEMA have agreed to end all public health orders and lift the local state of emergency as the COVID-19 infection rates in Chestermere have remained low for more than a month now.”  Chestermere currently has just one active case of the virus while 26 people have recovered and no deaths have been reported.

Chalmers says they've also been encouraged by the success of Stage One of the re-launch strategy and the fact that the province will be ending their State of Public Health Emergency next week.

While local orders will expire, the provincial public health guidelines issued by Dr. Deena Hinshaw must still be observed. 

“These common-sense guidelines will continue to be observed and will be part of the ‘new normal’ for all Chestermerians, Albertans and Canadians for many months to come,” Chalmers adds.  “Our success so far is a result of your continued vigilance and dedication to protect each other and those of us that are most vulnerable and we must not become complacent while we begin to enjoy further relaxation of the rules.”

With the State of Local Emergency and public health orders lifted, Chestermere residents and businesses can refer to the Province’s Re-Launch Strategy for guidance documents on re-opening new business sectors, public gatherings and other regulations.

“The Emergency Command Centre (ECC) will continue to operate for the time being as an advisory resource to assist our local organizations and businesses with their reopening strategies,” says Chalmers. “The CHEMA Team will also help guide the safe reopening plans for our municipal buildings before winding down their operations and closing the ECC later this summer.”

If a second wave of COVID-19 comes along, where infections increase to a significant level, the State of Local Emergency will be re-issued and the Emergency Command Centre will be re-activated if necessary.

More information including an updated FAQ will soon be available on the City’s website, chestermere.ca.

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