Mayor Ryan Bater talked about the communication between local municipalities (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Keaton Brown

Stay the course

Cooperation a key to Battlefords area success during COVID-19

Apr 14, 2020 | 2:00 PM

As updates on the COVID-19 situations continue to roll in on a daily basis, both provincially and federally, the Battlefords area continues to be one of the least affected areas.

North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater attributes this to the ongoing communication and cooperation between local municipalities including the town of Battleford and area First Nations.

Bater said the municipalities are constantly communicating and cooperating on measures taken to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“The cooperation within the region has been very strong, and the communication. We are in regular communication with our neighbours in Battleford as well as the surrounding Indigenous communities,” he said.

The municipalities in the region came together early in the COVID-19 situation to create a plan of action that has started to pay dividends as the pandemic unfolded. Bater said their early response and cooperation set the Battlefords area up for success.

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“In terms of cities in Saskatchewan, we are well positioned. Our pandemic planning had begun in January and we were prepared when this happened and now that it is happening it is a matter of execution,” he said.

Bater said he is in constant communication with not only the local municipalities but also has regular communications with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Ministry of Government Relations.

“It is an unprecedented amount of communication and collaboration,” he said. “What we are seeing is a number of different governments, whether it’s Indigenous government, municipal government and the provincial government all working together for a common cause. I really think it is important for people to know that,” he added.

Bater said the Battlefords area should be encouraged measures they have taken so far, like school closures, social-distancing and proper hygiene, are working and helping the numbers stay low. However, he said we need to remain diligent and not let our guard down.

“Things can change really fast. That is why we can’t give up, we can’t stop. It is really important that we stay the course” he said.

On Monday, Premier Scott Moe said the province began working on a re-open Saskatchewan plan and were looking to release that information next week. Until that time, they continue to encourage everyone to continue abiding by all of the preventative measures.

“It is encouraging that this is having a positive effect in terms of the numbers, but we can’t stop and we can’t let up,” Bater said.

—

Keaton.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow