Update: April 16, 2021
The County of Wetaskiwin No. 10 is opening our Administrative building and Public Works Shops to the public on Monday, April 19, 2021 at 8:30 a.m.
The County is requesting that members of the public continue to limit their visits to the County Office as much as possible. If you are able to, please consider making payments by mail or through online payment options. Please consider calling or emailing staff with questions or concerns before coming into the office. County staff are available to members of the public via phone during regular hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday) at (780) 352-3321 or Toll Free at 1-800-661-4125. The Public Works Call Centre can be reached directly at 780-361-6241. For after-hours inquiries, the County can be contacted at (780) 352-0005 or 1-800-581-0050. County staff are also available through email and contacts may found via the County of Wetaskiwin Website.
Council meetings will also be open for in-person attendance by the public and media. The next Council meeting is on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. Members of the public can continue to access Council meetings virtually through Zoom. Please contact, Jeff Chipley, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer at 780-361-6223 or email to attend.
View complete News Release.
Update: April 9, 2021
Effective at Noon today, Friday, April 9, 2021, the County Administrative Building and County Public Works Shops (Wetaskiwin & Winfield), will be closed to the public until further notice. County Transfer Stations will remain open to the public and garbage collection will continue as scheduled.
The County of Wetaskiwin now has five (5) confirmed staff members with COVID-19 with three (3) of the confirmed cases being identified as a variant strain. Additional staff members are isolating in accordance with Alberta Health Services guidelines. The County is working closely with Alberta Health Services and following all necessary procedures.
County staff will continue to be available to provide service to members of the public via phone during regular hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday) at (780) 352-3321 or Toll Free at 1-800-661-4125. The Public Works Call Centre can be reached directly at 780-361-6241. For after-hours inquiries, the County can be contacted at (780) 352-0005 or 1-800-581-0050. County staff are also available through email and contacts may found via the County of Wetaskiwin Website.
The County is committed to ensuring that services are continued in a regular fashion on behalf of the citizens in which we serve. The public can expect that most issues will be dealt with over the phone or through email rather than in person for the foreseeable future.
Residents wishing to make a payment can do so through the drop box located at the front entrance of the County office, by mail or through online payment options. Please see the County’s Website for more information.
For circumstances, services, and/or requests of a special nature such as loading/reloading water station cards, transfer station cards, and animal control fee payments, residents are encouraged to inquire by phone or email for further guidance and instruction.
The County is continuing to encourage everyone to follow the guidelines and mandates of AHS including staying home if you are sick, avoiding crowds, maintaining physical distancing, wearing a mask when in public and washing your hands frequently. The County thanks all citizens for their cooperation and understanding as we all navigate through the continued COVID-19 Pandemic.
View complete News Release.
Update: April 7, 2021
As of today, the County of Wetaskiwin has three (3) confirmed staff members with COVID-19 with one (1) of the confirmed cases being identified as a variant strain.
The County is following Alberta Health Services (AHS) guidelines when someone on staff tests positive for COVID-19 including contacting employees and others who have been in close contact with the individual and completing a deep sanitization of affected work areas and high touch points. In accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act, the County will not share any additional information regarding the specific individuals who tested positive.
The County of Wetaskiwin Office remains open to the public, but the County asks individuals to limit their visits for only essential matters and continue to use alternative means of connecting with the County such as by email, phone, and making payment by drop off, mail, and online payment options. Until further notice, County staff will not be available for in-person meetings with external stakeholders at the County Administration Building. If you need to meet with a County staff member, we will work with you to find alternative means of meeting such as virtually.
The County is continuing to encourage everyone to follow the guidelines and mandates of AHS including staying home if you are sick, avoiding crowds, maintaining physical distancing, wearing a mask when in public and washing your hands frequently. The County thanks all citizens for their cooperation and understanding as we all navigate through the continued COVID-19 Pandemic.
View complete News Release.
Update: April 6, 2021
Stop the spike. Alberta is moving back to Step 1, effective 11:59 pm on April 6. Additional restrictions for restaurants take effect April 9 at noon. Step 1 restrictions will remain in place until further notice.
Step 1 restrictions
The following mandatory public health measures come into effect at 11:59 p.m. on April 6:
Retail
- Retail services must reduce customer capacity to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy, with a minimum of five customers permitted. Curbside pickup, delivery and online services are encouraged.
- Shopping malls will be limited to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy.
Indoor fitness
- Only one-on-one training with an individual or household is permitted for indoor fitness activities (e.g., fitness in dance studios, training figure skating on ice, one-on-one lessons).
- No drop-in activities or unsupervised individual fitness.
- Group fitness, high or low intensity, is not allowed.
- Outdoor physical activity is allowed with up to 10 people, provided physical distancing is maintained between households.
Adult performance activities
- Adult performance activities are not permitted. Performance activities include dancing, singing, acting, playing a musical instrument and any rehearsal or theatrical performances.
The following mandatory public health measures come into effect at noon on Friday, April 9:
Restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafés
- Indoor in-person service is no longer permitted
- Takeout, curbside pickup and delivery services are permitted.
- Outdoor patio dining is also allowed. Tables and dining parties must be two metres apart or separated by an impermeable barrier that will prevent droplet transmission.
- Household members only, or two close contacts of someone who lives alone.
- Contact information must be collected from one person of the dining party.
The following mandatory public health measures remain in effect unchanged:
Places of worship
- All places of worship will continue to be limited to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy for in-person attendance.
- Virtual or online services are strongly encouraged.
- Drive-in services where individuals do not leave their vehicles and adhere to guidance will be permissible and are not subject to capacity restrictions.
Social gatherings
- Indoor social gatherings continue to be prohibited.
- Outdoor social gatherings are limited to 10 participants, provided physical distancing and other measures continue to be followed.
Personal and wellness services
- Personal and wellness services can be open for appointment only. This includes hair salons, nail salons, massage, tattoos and piercing.
- Health services, including physiotherapy or acupuncture, social or protective services, shelters for vulnerable persons, emergency services, child care, and not-for-profit community kitchens or charitable kitchens can remain open for in-person attendance.
Indoor and outdoor children’s sport and performance
- K-12 schools and post-secondary children’s sport and performance activities, such as physical education classes, can now use off-site facilities to support curriculum-related educational activities.
- Lessons, practices and conditioning activities, but not games, may occur for indoor team-based minor sports/activities and school athletics.
- All participants must be 18 years old or younger, excluding coaches or trainers.
- Maximum of 10 individuals, including all coaches, trainers and participants.
- Participants must stay physically distanced from each other at all times.
Update: March 8, 2021
Alberta is completing Step 2 of the Path Forward:
- Retail services and shopping malls can increase customer capacity to 25% of fire code occupancy, not including staff. Curbside pick up, delivery and online services are still encouraged.
- Banquet halls, community halls and conference centres can open for all activities permitted under Step 1 and 2, including hosting wedding ceremonies up to 10 people, funeral services up to 20 people, virtual events, and permitted performance activities. Receptions are not allowed.
- Performance activities have expanded to include adult performers and performance groups (10 people maximum), individual or group rehearsals and livestreamed performances, and large indoor film activities with approval. In-person audiences are not allowed.
- College and university athletics can resume lessons, practices and physical conditioning activities (10 people maximum). Games are not allowed.
Update: March 1, 2021
Step 2 restriction changes, effective March 1, include:
- indoor fitness expanded to include low-intensity activities
- libraries can reopen, with restrictions
What does this mean for County of Wetaskiwin Libraries:
- Alder Flats/Buck Lake Public Library:
- Will be OPEN to the Public on Thursday evenings, 7:00-9:00p.m.
- Curbside pickup is still available on Tuesdays 9:30-1:00, and Thursdays 7:00-9:00p.m., but physical access is open Thursday evenings only.
- All AHS COVID Guidelines will be followed, and 15% capacity will be enforced.
- Pigeon Lake (Lakedell) Public Library:
- Will be reopening to the public effective Monday, March 8th.
- Our new hours of operation are, Monday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- All AHS COVID Guidelines will be followed, and 15% capacity will be enforced.
- Winfield Community Library:
- Will be open on Wednesdays 5:00-8:00 p.m., Fridays 5:00-8:00 p.m, and Saturdays 10:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m.
- Tuesdays the library will be open for Staff & Students only.
- Don't forget you can still order your books online and have them ready to go for you. Curbside service continues to be offered.
- All AHS COVID Guidelines will be followed, and 15% capacity will be enforced.
Update: February 8, 2021
Today Alberta moves to Step 1 of A Path Forward. The following changes to public health measures are now in effect:
For the most up to date information regarding COVID-19 and changes to restrictions visit A Path Forward.
Update: January 15, 2021
Today the County of Wetaskiwin reported its first death related to COVID-19. County Council and Administration would like to send our deepest condolences to everyone affected by this loss. Please continue to follow all public health guidelines as we all work together to keep each other safe through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Update: December 9, 2020
On December 8, 2020, the Government of Alberta added new mandatory provincewide measures in response to rising COVID-19 cases.
Effective immediately (December 8, 2020):
- No social gatherings - indoor or outdoor.
- Masks mandatory in all indoor public spaces and workplaces (this includes all County of Wetaskiwin facilities).
- Close contacts are limited to household members only.
- Festivals, parades, events, concerts, exhibitions, competitions, sport and performance remain prohibited.
Effective Sunday, December 13, 2020:
- Restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes closed to in-person service.
- Retail services, including malls, must reduce customer capacity to 15%.
- Places of worship limited to 15% capacity for in-person attendance.
- Entertainment and indoor recreation facilities must close.
- Outdoor recreation is permitted, but indoor facilities except washrooms to close.
- Personal and wellness services, like hair and nail salons, must close.
- Health services, like physio and acupuncture, remain open by appointment only
- Hotels remain open but no spas, pools or in-person dining. Room services only.
- Working from home is mandatory unless a physical presence is required for operational effectiveness.
The County Office will continue to be open to the public, but we highly recommended that members of the public access our services remotely by contacting the County by phone during regular hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday) at (780) 352-3321 or Toll Free at 1-800-661-4125, after hours at (780) 352-0005 or 1-800-581-0050, and by email as found via the County of Wetaskiwin Website. County Transfer Stations continue to be open to the public.
For the most up-to-date information about the current COVID-19 situation and restrictions please visit the Government of Alberta webpage.
View complete News Release.
Update: November 25, 2020
COVID-19 cases continue rising across Alberta and the situation is critical. A state of public health emergency was declared by the Government of Alberta on November 24, 2020.
Due to these new restrictions, effective immediately, the Winfield Agriplex Arena will be closed to the public until further notice.
Additional mandatory restrictions apply across Alberta:
- No indoor social gatherings in any setting
- 10-person limit on outdoor gatherings
- 10-person limit for wedding and funeral services, no receptions permitted
- Changes to in-person learning schedules for K-12 students
- Working from home should be considered, where possible
Additional restrictions apply to regions on the enhanced list (purple zones including the County of Wetaskiwin):
- Business and service restrictions start November 27, 2020
- Places of worship limited to 1/3 of normal attendance, masks required
The County Office will continue to be open to the public, but members of the public can access these services remotely by contacting the County by phone during regular hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday) at (780) 352-3321 or Toll Free at 1-800-661-4125, after hours at (780) 352-0005 or 1-800-581-0050, and by email as found via the County of Wetaskiwin Website. County Transfer Stations continue to be open to the public.
View complete News Release.
Update: November 12, 2020
Today the County of Wetaskiwin was notified by Alberta Health Services (AHS) that we have moved to Enhanced Status on the Provincial Relaunch Status Map. This includes the Town of Millet and the Summer Villages within our municipal boundary.
The County of Wetaskiwin currently has:
- 13 active cases, for a case rate of 127.7 per 100,000 people;
- 2/13 have a known source of exposure;
- 11/13 has an unknown source of exposure at this time.
The County of Wetaskiwin is under the following Mandatory Health Measures as ordered by AHS:
- 15-person limit on social and family gatherings - indoors and outdoors - where people are mixing and mingling.
- Restaurants, bars, lounges and pubs must stop liquor sales by 10pm and close by 11pm - applies to Class A, B or C licences (Nov 13-27).
- 50-person limit on indoor and outdoor wedding ceremonies and funeral services.
- Faith-based gatherings limited to 1/3 capacity at one time.
View complete News Release.
Update: November 3, 2020
Over the weekend, the County of Wetaskiwin was notified that a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19.
The County of Wetaskiwin Office remains open to the public, but the County asks individuals to limit their visits for only essential matters and continue to use alternative means of connecting with the County such as by email, phone, and making payment by drop off, mail, and online payment options.
For more information about the current COVID-19 numbers in our region please visit Government of Alberta COVID-19 Status Map.
View complete News Release.
Update: July 27, 2020
The County of Wetaskiwin No. 10 is opening our Administrative building to the Public on Monday, July 27, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. Public health measures have been put in place to keep the public and County staff safe.
Update: July 19, 2020
Please continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines when visiting County campgrounds, beaches and recreational areas. All visitors should maintain physical distancing of 2 metres from others not from the same household or cohort at all times and during all types of activities that may be undertaken at the beach (both in and out of the water). Consider another activity if your intended beach or recreational area is overcrowded.
Update: June 5, 2020
County Campgrounds opened Friday, June 5, 2020. County Campground COVID-19 Guidelines.
Update: May 25, 2020
The County Office is now open to the public by appointment only. Please call or email in advance to set up an appointment.
Update: May 1, 2020
In order to help ease the financial burden on residents who may be struggling through these difficult times, County Council resolved to cancel the 6% penalty on unpaid taxes as of September 1, 2020. View News Release.
Update: April 16, 2020
In order to help ease the financial burden on residents who may be struggling through these difficult times, County Council resolved at the April 14th Council meeting to forgive penalties on utility accounts and accounts receivable for the period of March 1st to September 1st, 2020. View News Release.
Update: April 7, 2020
News Release regarding AHS reporting of COVID-19. Confirmed cases of COVID-19 are now displayed by rural municipalities, city boundaries, and urban service areas. Smaller regions (i.e. towns, villages, and reserves) are incorporated into the corresponding rural area. The County of Wetaskiwin currently has no confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Update: April 3, 2020
The County of Wetaskiwin is mailing out the following New Release to County residents to ensure that everyone is aware of how to access the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19.
Update: March 27, 2020 (See new April 7, 2020 update above)
News Release regarding AHS reporting. When Alberta Health Services (AHS) is reporting confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alberta, they divide the County of Wetaskiwin into two distinct reporting areas: Wetaskiwin County and Drayton Valley.
Update: March 25, 2020
Public Notice of Council Meetings. March 31, 2020 Council General Meeting is Cancelled. April 9, 2020 Council for Planning & Economic Development and April 14, 2020 Council General Meetings, are scheduled to proceed with Council attending via video conferencing.
Update: March 23, 2020
First Confirmed Case of COVID-19 in Wetaskiwin Region. View the joint Press Release from the City and County of Wetaskiwin for more information.
Update: March 18, 2020 (3:30 PM)
County buildings closed to the public effective 4:30 pm March 18, 2020. View News Release.
Update: March 18, 2020 (a.m.)
Public Libraries Services Branch (PLSB), advised March 16, 2020, that all Libraries in the Province of Alberta, including the ones that serve the County of Wetaskiwin, shall be closed to the public immediately if they have not been already.
Update: March 16, 2020
The County of Wetaskiwin Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) has been opened to monitor all situations and Provincial/Federal announcements, as is the case with numerous neighboring municipalities. We have taken the following steps:
- Our staff have been directed to do a mandatory 14-day self isolation for anyone returning from a trip or who has been in contact with anyone who has shown symptoms of the COVID-19 virus (fever, cold, cough or respiratory issues).
- Homemaking services and Medical Transportation have been suspended for at least 14 days. Clients are urged to call the appropriate party for emergent issues such as need for medical supplies.
- There shall be no personal attendance by County of Wetaskiwin staff for out of office meetings not related to an essential service.
- The deadline for grant applications for Recreation/FCSS programs will be extended if necessary.
- All salespeople visitations to County of Wetaskiwin buildings shall be prohibited until further notice.
- The Winfield Agriplex (including the Ag Society) has been closed.
- We highly recommend all community groups and libraries follow the same guidelines.
Administration will be monitoring the situation and will re-evaluate all circumstances as information becomes available. For the most up to date information go to the link on our website or www.alberta.ca/covid19.