This page was updated on November 23, 2020 at 3 p.m.
The Town of Rocky Mountain House continues to respond to the global pandemic of COVID-19. Municipal updates will be posted here and to the Town's Facebook page.
PUBLIC ACCESS TO TOWN FACILITIES IS LIMITED. Phone 403-845-2866 to find out if your business can be conducted remotely. Access to the Town Office is limited to one person per household, with a maximum of two public members in the building at one time. Please respect our staff and practice social distancing and hand hygiene. (View: Do I need to visit the Town Office? flow chart).
The Christenson Sports and Wellness Centre is open to the public. Health screening is taking place at Guest Services. User groups are responsible for contract tracing and health screening for their members. Please contact Guest Services if you have questions about this process: 403-845-3720.
The Credit Union Co-op Aquatic Centre is open to the public. Visitors must answer health screening questions at the front desk. COVID-19 protocol are in place throughout the building.
The Province of Alberta issues daily updates on the COVID-19 situation in Alberta. These updates are available here. The provincial State of Health Emergency lifted on June 15, 2020, however public health guidelines remain in place.
Read more about the provincial re-launch strategy. Visit Alberta Biz Connect for workplace guidance and supports to help businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-19 begin to reopen and resume operations safely.
Stage 2 of the Provincial Relaunch Strategy began on June 12, 2020. View Stage 2 guidance documents here.
List of essential services in Alberta
NEW: ENHANCED MEASURES NOW IN PLACE
As of November 23, Rocky Mountain House is in an Enhanced Zone, with the following public health measures in place:
- No social gatherings inside your home or outside of your community. Instead, socialize outdoors or in structured settings, like restaurants or other business that are subject to legal limits and take steps to prevent transmission.
- 15-person limit on social and family gatherings - indoors and outdoors - where people are mixing and mingling.
- Limit of 3 cohorts: your core household, your school, and one other sport or social cohort. Young children who attend child care can be part of 4 cohorts.
- Wear a mask in all indoor work settings, except when alone in a workspace or an appropriate barrier is in place.
- Employers in office settings to implement strategies to reduce the number of employees in the workplace at one time.
- Restaurants, bars, lounges and pubs must stop liquor sales by 10pm and close by 11pm (Nov 13-27).
- 50-person limit on wedding ceremonies and funeral services.
- Faith-based gatherings limited to 1/3 capacity at one time
Learn more about the targeted public health measures in place to protect the health system and limit the spread.
Check the status map to stay current with public health orders and gathering restrictions in our area. You can also sign up for notifications for our region, to be delivered directly via email or text.
Municipal action in response to COVID-19 pandemic
On March 16, the Town of Rocky Mountain House activated its Emergency Coordination Centre to to stay abreast of rapidly evolving COVID-19 protocols and restrictions. With the early activation of our ECC, the Town of Rocky Mountain House is prepared to act quickly should further restrictions be imposed by provincial or federal authorities. As the province moves through its relaunch plan, the Town continues to adjust its operations accordingly.
The Town of Rocky Mountain House is:
- Sharing links to ensure residents have access to the most up-to-date information from provincial and federal health authorities;
- Increasing hand sanitizer and disinfecting procedures in all facilities;
- Implementing no-contact guidelines for staff;
- Developing a business-continuity plan to maintain town services;
- Providing refunds or credits to organizations with existing Town facility bookings, whose events have been cancelled due to COVID-19.
- Waiving late fees on accounts receivable and utilities between from March 15 and Sept. 1, 2020.
- Waiving late fees on property taxes for 2020.
- Publishing resources for businesses
For more information, please consult Alberta Health Services or the Public Health Agency of Canada.
The Town of Rocky Mountain House will maintain essential services and adapt normal operations as needed. Most Town facilities remain closed to the public. Staff are still working. Phone 403-845-2866 to find out if your business can be conducted remotely, or to make an appointment.
The Town of Rocky Mountain House will continue to follow Alberta Health guidelines and/or provincial directives as they evolve.
Status of Town facilities and programs:
Facility | Status | Details |
Town Office | Open to the public; some restrictions in place. | Staff are still working, with social-distancing and increased disinfecting protocols. Public access is limited to one person per household, with a maximum of two public members in the building at one time. Visitors will be required to wash/sanitize hands, and follow staff direction for social distancing. Phone 403-845-2866 to find out if your business can be conducted remotely, The Town of Rocky Mountain House has increased the frequency of cleaning in our facilities and public spaces. The Town Office is open, however we ask that any members of the public who are displaying symptoms or have travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days to not attend at our facilities. This is in accordance with Alberta Health protocol for returning travellers. |
Public Works | Closed to the public. | Staff are still working, with social-distancing and increased disinfecting protocols. No public access to the Public Works shop. Phone 403-845-3220 to speak with our Public Works department. |
Christenson Sports and Wellness Centre | Open Hours of operation: All Rocky Pass Memberships will be reactivated on Aug. 31. Phone Guest Services for details: 403-845-3720. | Guest Services, Fitness Centre and room bookings resumed on June 22. View Fitness Centre Reopening Procedures Ice surfaces reopened on Sept. 14. View Ice User Facility Guidelines Phone Guest Services at 403-845-3720. View public health guidance document for indoor recreation and sport. |
| Credit Union Co-op Aquatic Centre 5202 53 Ave. 403-845-6977 | Open All Rocky Pass Memberships will be reactivated on Aug. 31. Phone Guest Services for details: 403-845-3720. | Covid-19 guidelines in effect. View full details. |
| Playgrounds, Skatepark and Tennis/pickleball Courts | Open - use with caution | Outdoor activity is encouraged for physical and mental well-being. Social distancing measures must be followed at all times. One family/cohort at a time on playground equipment. Please wash/sanitize your hands before and after use. As always, adhere to public health orders regarding mass gatherings and stay home if you or your children have any symptoms. |
| Sports Fields | Open for bookings | Please phone 403-845-3720 for bookings. Users are responsible for adhering to Public Health Orders and applicable guidance documents. |
| Lou Soppit Community Centre | Open for bookings | Please phone 403-845-3720 for bookings. Users are responsible for adhering to Public Health Orders and applicable guidance documents. View public health guidance document for indoor events. |
| Centennial Campground | Closed for season | Closed for season |
| Public Washrooms | Closed for season | Public washrooms located at Centennial Campground and Helen Hunley Park - closed for season |
| Sani-Dump | Closed for season | $8 fee for potable water fill and sewage dumping - closed for season |
Current as of November 23, 2020 at 3 p.m.
The Town of Rocky Mountain House is prepared to implement further protocols and/or closures if the risk to public and staff increases or at the direction of public health agencies.
The Town of Rocky Mountain House wishes to reiterate the key messages of Alberta Health. To protect yourself and others:
- Use good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing;
- Cover coughs and sneezes;
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
- Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill;
- If you have symptoms, stay home and call Health Link 811 for instructions.
Alberta Health Services is the lead agency managing the province's response to the global pandemic. As of March 27, the Government of Alberta imposed further restrictions on mass gatherings, and ordered the immediate closure of all non-essential businesses. Full details at www.alberta.ca/COVID19.
View the list of essential services.
Please consult the following resources for current information:
Alberta Health Services information on COVID-19 (coronavirus)
Alberta Health Services COVID-19 self-assessment tool
Public Health Agency of Canada information on COVID-19 (coronavirus)
Health Canada Travel Advisories
ENFORCEMENT: All complaints relating to violations of COVID-19 public health orders should be submitted to the Public Health Inspector by using the online form available here.
FOR KIDS: A children's story to explain COVID-19 By Manuela Molina
Financial assistance for Individuals:
- Government of Alberta - Emergency Financial Assistance
If you are facing an unexpected emergency, you can apply for emergency financial assistance.
If you are an existing Income Support recipient, contact your support worker.
Otherwise, apply online or by calling the 24-hour Emergency Income Support Contact Centre:Toll free: 1-866-644-5135
TTY toll free: 1-800-232-7215 (ask to speak to Alberta Supports)
Fax: 780-422-9681
Email: hs.iscc@gov.ab.ca (responses may take 1-3 business days) Government of Alberta Emergency Isolation Support
Eligible working Albertans can receive a one-time emergency isolation support payment of $1,146 if they are required to self-isolate or are the sole caregiver of someone in self-isolation and they have no other source of pay or compensation.
If you need help completing your application, call Alberta Connects at 310-4455, open 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm. Please be patient as call volumes may be high.
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit - Service Canada
Will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to eligible workers who have lost their income due to COVID-19.The Canada Emergency Response Benefit application portal will open on April 6.
Government of Canada Employment Insurance
Summary of provincial financial relief
What Should I Do If I Think I Have COVID-19?
If you have symptoms such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing and have travelled outside Canada or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, stay home and consult the AHS self-assessment tool or call Health Link 811.
If you are not seriously ill, do not go to a physician’s office, a health care facility or a lab without consulting with Health Link 811 first.
Call 911 if you are seriously ill and need immediate medical attention and inform them that you may have COVID-19.
Source: Alberta Health Services
Related resources and documents:
March 20, 2020 statement re: COVID-19-related layoffs
March 18 Statement from the Mayor re: COVID-19
Rocky Mountain House Responds to COVID-19 (March 16, 2020 News Release)
Lifesaving Society COVID-19 Recommendations for the use of Public Swimming Pools
Canadian Red Cross warns of a fraudulent offer of face masks
March 16, 2020 Special Council Meeting video
March 13, 2020 Special Council Meeting Highlights
Utility Payment Deferral Initiative (Government of Alberta)
Map of Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE)
VIDEO: What we actually know about the coronavirus
This video has been produced by CBC. Both Alberta Health and the Alberta Emergency Management Agency are referring municipalities to this video as a good source of information about coronaviruses for residents.
List of essential services in Alberta
Visit Alberta Biz Connect for workplace guidance and supports to help businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-19 begin to reopen and resume operations safely.
Rocky Mountain House Statement on Provincial Stage 2 Relaunch (June 12)
Fitness Centre to Reopen on Monday, June 22 (June 18)
Waiving late fees on property taxes for 2020.
