COVID-19
Athabasca County wants to share information with our residents about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) to keep everyone apprised of how it affects public facilities and municipal services.
This is a rapidly changing situation, and as we continue to monitor the situation, we will endeavour to share any changes with you in a timely fashion. Please check back to this web page to stay up to date with any changes. (athabascacounty.com/covid-19)
You can access the provincial government’s web page providing current COVID-19 information for Albertans by clicking the link below.
FACILITY INFORMATION
ATHABASCA COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
The Athabasca County Admin Office has reopened and has returned to regular business hours:
- 8 am to 4 pm
- Monday to Friday
Please Note: The Public Works shop will remain closed to the public.
There are new safety measures in our buildings similar to what is being experienced in other public facilities, with physical barriers, floor markings, and social distancing measures in place.
Residents are encouraged to call ahead to book appointments for meetings. Due to the social distancing requirement, limited meeting space is available.
For those who need to make payments, electronic options are available through your financial institution. Our mail drop box is also available to the left of the main entrance doors of the County Admin Building, 3602 – 48 Avenue, Athabasca, AB.
FAMILY & COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES (FCSS)
As of Monday, July 6, 2020, programs are accessible to the public by appointment and pre-registered small groups only. This will include the Family Wellness (Diversion) program, Family Centre, Family School Liaison program and the Seniors Advocate.
Participants and clients will need to answer screening questions, have their temperature checked, as well as use a face mask (adults only) and hand sanitizer (both of which will be provided on site). These measures will remain in place to protect staff and members of the public.
Remote services being offered over the last few months will continue, and staff will provide information, referrals, as well as services by telephone and email during this time.
To access these programs, or get referrals to other services, call the FCSS main line at 780-675-2623, or the Northern Lakes Family Resource Network Hub Coordinator, Nadine Wiselka at 780-675-8304.
ATHABASCA REGIONAL MULTIPLEX, FITNESS & AQUATIC CENTRE
The Athabasca Regional Multiplex, Fitness and Aquatic Centre has reopened as of Monday, July 6, 2020.
Hours of Operation: 10 am to 7 pm daily
There are new plans and procedures for making bookings in place. Everyone entering must have a booking. VIEW BOOKING INFO
For Bookings Call: 780-675-2967
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Public libraries in Rochester, Grassland, and Wandering River have all been closed due to the closure of schools across Alberta.
The library in Athabasca has reopened with the following hours:
Tue, Wed, Thurs and Fri 10 am – 5:30 pm
Sat. 10 am – 4 pm.
Closed Sunday & Monday
PLAYGROUNDS
Playgrounds in Athabasca County have reopened for use by the public. Please note they are not being sanitized during the pandemic and are use at your own risk.
CAMPGROUNDS
Athabasca County Council has reopened Hope Lake Campground and Forfar Recreation Park to overnight camping beginning on July 1, 2020. Bookings for the summer of 2020 can be made as of Wednesday, June 24, 2020 by calling the campgrounds directly.
FACTS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
The risk of COVID-19 transmission is of great concern to health officials who are announcing new steps daily to slow its spread. Efforts are being made nationally to reduce the transmission of the virus including self-isolation, hand washing, and cancellation of large gatherings.
Anyone who is concerned that they may have been exposed to, or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, should contact their primary care provider or call 8-1-1.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has set up a COVID-19 telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397.
Athabasca County is following all guidelines provided by the Alberta Ministry of Health to help mitigate the spread of the virus.
ONLINE SELF ASSESSMENT TOOL
Health Link continues to experience high call volumes. To help manage wait times, AHS has increased staffing levels and call line capacity. AHS has now implemented a new online assessment tool. This tool will guide Albertans to answer questions about symptoms and take them through steps to help determine whether they need testing.
ONLINE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOOL
The Government of Canada has launched an Online Benefits Finder Tool to help Canadians impacted by COVID‑19. It is intended to help people determine which federal, provincial and territorial government benefit programs best meet their needs. To use the tool, individuals are asked to answer a few simple questions and are then given a personalized list of financial benefits that could be available to them. The tool will be updated as needed, as government continues to support Canadians during this challenging time.
