Elk Point closing town facilites until further notice

At a special council meeting held on Monday, March 16, Town of Elk Point councillors formalized the municipality’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

All town facilities will be closed to the public, including administration offices and public works buildings.

As well, recreational and cultural facilities, that is the arena, the curling rink, the Further Ed building, the library, and the riding arena, have been shut down until further notice.

It is expected that the Allied Arts building will follow suit.

Closures should not affect regular services – garbage collection, water, sewer, treatment plant, maintenance, bill payments, and licencing will continue as usual.

Public Works will deal with emergencies such as sewer back-ups, but will not enter homes unless absolutely necessary.

Equipment that can be used by homeowners may be provided upon request.

There will be someone at the town office to respond to phone calls, emails, and text messages, and residents can drop letters into the mail slot.

However, the doors to the Town Office will be locked and in many cases office employees will be working from home.

Other procedures being followed by the Town include regular cleaning of public works equipment, wearing heavy-duty gloves and masks for garbage pick-up, self-isolating after returning from holidays abroad, and conducting board meetings electronically.

The Elk Point Fire Department will continue to respond to emergencies, and is ordering supplies to ensure members are protected from possible contact with the COVID 19 virus.

The Frog Lake Fire Department will continue to assist in emergencies on local highways.

Elk Point is cooperating closely with the County of St. Paul and the regional emergency policies.