Today Rocky View County updated the public as to which services are open and how they plan to tackle COVID-19 in the future.

“This is a stressful time for residents and business owners in the County, and we want to thank people for their patience. After closing County Hall, we initiated both work from home protocols, staggered shifts at our facilities, and other contingency measures to ensure critical infrastructure and services are maintained, while keeping employees and the public safe. We are pleased that the County continues to fully operate core services during this very difficult time,” says Chief Administrative Officer Al Hoggan.

A number of services continue to operate and include: 911, Fire Services, Enforcement Services (bylaw and traffic), Roads, Building Services ( inspections and permits), the Planning department, Utilities, and Waste and Recycling.

Used textile bins and household goods donation sheds at County Transfer Sites in Bragg Creek, Irricana, and Langdon are closed until further notice. Langdon curbside collection will take effect on April 1st, with weekly blue cart collection.

All recreation facilities are closed, along with playgrounds.

The county has been holding what it calls Business continuity workshops. The workshops aim to held local businesses understand what to do before, during and after a disaster.

“We were certainly thinking of fire, floods, or tornadoes, but anyone who went through the program and prepared a business continuity plan is well equipped to deal with COVID-19,” Hoggan said.

“I’m very proud of Rocky View County’s leadership in this area.”

The county’s plans also cover what would happen if the pandemic situation worsens, or if core staff are impacted by the virus.

As stated in a Rocky View County news release, contingencies include staff reallocations, and the network of mutual aid agreements the county has built with its neighbouring municipalities.

It is unclear when the county hall will be reopened.

For more information on COVID-19 and the county's response, residents should visit Rocky View County’s website, and social media accounts.

“How soon we get back to normal – or at least the new normal – will depend on the nation-wide effectiveness of the steps people are being asked to take,” Hoggan says. “Rocky View County continues to encourage residents to take precautions to protect themselves and others from the risk of COVID-19.”