The Municipality of Jasper has cancelled a number of community events over coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns.
Community dinners, Parent Link events and the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet are no longer going ahead.
"The Municipality of Jasper鈥檚 first priority is the health and safety of its residents, visitors and staff," said an information package.
"Canadians are being asked to help 鈥榝latten the curve鈥� and take measures to slow down the spread of the virus to reduce the load on the country鈥檚 healthcare system."
On March 11, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic.
Today (March 12), Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw asked all mass gatherings to be cancelled - i.e. community events, sporting events and conferences with more than 250 people.
She said any event that has more than 50 attendees, expected to have international participants, or involving critical infrastructure staff, seniors, or other high-risk populations should also be cancelled.
Albertans were also advised against travelling outside of the country.
The Municipality of Jasper said it completed the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)'s risk assessment for mass gatherings on some of its upcoming events.
The assessment showed that Community Dinners pose several potential risks for the transmission of COVID-19, including the sharing of food and the gathering of people from all age groups, including those who are at a greater risk of severe illness (older adults) and those who are at greater risk of spreading the illness (young children).
Other events that have been cancelled are:
- Parent Link Stay and Play 鈥� Friday, March 13
- Parent Link Coffee and Scream 鈥� Saturday, March 14
- Community Dinner 鈥� Sunday, March 15
- Parent Link Indoor Playgroup (St. Patrick鈥檚 Day Party) 鈥� Tuesday, March 17
- Parent Link Free Swim 鈥� Wednesday, March 18
- Community Dinner 鈥� Sunday, March 22
- Volunteer Appreciation Banquet 鈥� Wednesday, April 22
The Municipality said organisations planning to host events in Jasper should conduct a risk assessment to determine whether mitigation strategies are required, or if the event should be cancelled or postponed.
Anyone planning on hosting an event in municipal facilities or on municipal property must demonstrate that the risk assessment was conducted and which mitigation strategies will be implemented.
The public health risk associated to COVID-19 is low for Alberta and Canada.
However, the Alberta Emergency Management Agency said tourism destinations like Jaspe, are at higher risk than other Alberta communities. To date, all cases of COVID-19 in Alberta are travel related.
Municipal staff and elected officials are monitoring information releases and updates from the federal and provincial governments.
In the event of an outbreak municipal priorities will be to limit exposure of staff and patrons to the virus; maintain essential services like water treatment and waste collection, and maintaining emergency response capacity.
They recommended that everyone in Jasper should .
