North Battleford council as shown on Monday's online meeting, where a majority vote resulted in stricter COVID-19 restrictions. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

COVID-19 requirements

City implements new COVID-19 restrictions

Nov 9, 2021 | 6:00 AM

In a tight vote, the majority of City of North Battleford council approved increased COVID-19 restrictions for members of the public entering a number of city-owned facilities that will go into effect Nov. 30.

City Manager Randy Patrick presented a report on the proposed policy/resolution during Monday evening’s council meeting. The aim was to add more COVID-19 restrictions similar to some other municipalities, such as Saskatoon and Prince Albert, as another layer of protection for the community. Patrick said City Hall itself would need to be exempt as it is an essential service to the public.

Coun. Len Taylor was among those who supported the motion for the added restrictions.

“The bottom line is we want people vaccinated,” he said. “We want them vaccinated as quickly as they can, and our facilities are going to be there to ensure it’s a safe place for the residents of the city.”

“Just like an airline should be a safe place for travellers, a cruise ship should be safe for cruise-ship people. And a curling rink a safe place for people who want to curl – and we’ve had that and haven’t had any issue at all since we opened.”

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Some members of council believed it would be more prudent for the city to continue to adhere to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines instead, prompting a fair bit of debate.

Council approved the resolution for the City to implement the requirement of proof of double vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result within the previous 72 hours – and as a point of clarification, the test requirement is the provincial requirement – for all those eligible to be vaccinated, excluding those under 12 years of age, effective Nov. 30.

The facilities affected will be: the NationsWEST Field House, Northland Power Curling Centre, the Dekker Centre, The Don Ross Centre, The Battlefords CO-OP Aquatic Centre, and Access Communications Centre (The Civic Centre).

In accordance with the province’s public health measures, the city already has a proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours requirement at the NationsWEST Field House and the Allen Sapp Gallery – The Gonor Collection, as posted on the city’s website.

The Northland Power Curling Centre and the Dekker Centre had prior requirements for proof of vaccination, imposed by the organizations. Proof of vaccination or a negative test result is already needed to attend Battlefords North Star games at the Access Communications Centre.

The outcome of the recorded vote, was 4-3 supporting the proposal. Councillors Bill Ironstand, Kent Lindgren, Len Taylor and Ross MacAngus voted in favour, with Mayor David Gillan and councillors Kelli Hawtin and Greg Lightfoot opposed.

City administration said they will give monthly updates, which will also factor in any of the province’s possible further restrictions, or eligibility age for vaccination changes, for example.

After the matter was addressed, the city confirmed that all of the city council members themselves have all been fully vaccinated.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow