Chestermere’s Mayor Marshall Chalmers is urging people to stay home to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Last week, the Chestermere Emergency Management Agency (CHEMA) announced that they would be taking additional measures to ensure the safety of the community. These measures included prohibiting any activity on Chestermere Lake until June 1.

“This safety measure is to discourage people from walking on the lake during unstable ice conditions and potentially putting our emergency personnel at risk,” says Mayor Chalmers. “It also encourages people to walk on the designated paths and sidewalks which makes it easier to monitor required physical distancing.”

The Mayor highlighted the fact that there are confirmed cases of the virus in people who have not travelled or been in known contact with someone who is sick.

“Please stay home Chestermere, and only go out for necessities,” says Chalmers. “If a necessity means getting fresh air, people should go for a brief walk, stay on designated pathways and sidewalks for easy monitoring, and keep a safe distance away from other walkers, and then get back home.”

Chalmers added that he understands the community is eager to get back to normal and enjoy a safe spring and summer.

“So am I, so let’s work together and stay home for now,” he says. “We have confirmed cases in our community, and we need to stop the spread of this virus.”

The Chestermere Emergency Management Team highlighted the Alberta Health Services statistical modeling map. It shows Chestermere’s COVID-19 cases specific to the city’s geographic boundary.

As of April 7, there are 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Chestermere.