City to stay with COVID enhanced measures

Among her concerns, Hawtin noted there was a $50,000 new ask from the city in the agenda to fund a third party organization to do vaccine checks at doors at certain facilities.

She said the city’s enhanced measures are “unnecessary” and an “overstep,” especially at a time when COVID cases and hospitalizations are declining.

Hawtin asked council to leave the health policy decisions to the provincial and local medical health officers.

She pointed out the province has extended its public health guidelines to Jan. 31, 2022, and has signalled they will likely continue until spring.

“I under no circumstance am advocating for a free-for-all open-for-Christmas business as usual,” she said. “I am advocating for a safe and reasonable approach for all.”

Coun. Bill Ironstand said he wanted to keep the restrictions in place to meet the city’s strategic plan, to have a healthy and safe community. He said public health officers and the Saskatchewan Health Authority have endorsed the city’s efforts.

Ironstand also noted people appear to be still going to the pool and CUplex based on the volume of vehicles he saw in the parking lot on Saturday. So he believes the increased restrictions may be actually encouraging more people to come back to the city’s recreational facilities with the assurance of increased safety.

“When people ask me why I am so passionate about this, I know we are doing the right thing to help save lives,” he said.

Coun. Len Taylor agreed with Ironstand that the city’s added restrictions may provide another layer of protection. He added it’s important to “stay ahead of the virus.”

He said a year ago the city’s facilities were closed and no one was playing hockey, swimming or curling.

“We had the opportunity to re-open the facilities. Now we’ve put one restriction: Please get vaccinated…The choice is yours,” Taylor said.

Mayor David Gillan said his initial concern with the added restrictions was the impact on youth if they were not allowed to use the facilities unless vaccinated. But since council exempted youth, the matter was addressed.

He added at this time of the year the risk level of the virus rises, so he appreciates the benefit of the city’s added precautions.

In the vote, the majority of council were opposed to rescinding the city’s enhanced COVID measures with only Hawtin is favour.

On the cost issue, City Manager Randy Patrick pointed out the up to $50,000 amount proposed to assist with door checks at facilities where needed would be spent over the 2021 to 2022 fiscal years. Since funding was received from the federal government to implement COVID-19 precautions, there will be no direct impact to taxpayers.

Local poll

In an unscientific poll conducted by battlefordsNOW in November, a total of 78 per cent of respondents were opposed to the city’s Enhanced COVID-19 measures as a step further than the provincial mandate. However, the poll was taken before the city exempted those 18 years of age and under from the added restrictions.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown

City to stay with COVID enhanced measures

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