The Town of Drumheller is taking immediate action, following the direction of Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health, to assist in containing the spread of COVID-19.

Tonight, the Drumheller Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) met with officials from Alberta Health to coordinate the community's response plan. The following are now implemented:

• The Town is now a no hand shake community until April 30^th.
• All unessential staff travel is cancelled.
• The Town is cancelling all events that have more than 50 attendees in town operated facilities until further notice. The Town will re-evaluate on an ongoing basis, with direction from Alberta Health.
• The Town is increasing the frequency and intensity of cleaning in its facilities.

Mayor Colberg announced "we are taking a careful, compassionate and caring approach to COVID-19.We have a responsibility to our employees who keep the town operating and the entire community. Alberta Health is the lead agency and we are monitoring and following their instructions daily. We know that COVID-19 is going to come to Drumheller, we just don't know when. Together, our community is committed to minimizing the impacts."

We all have a part to play. As a first step, we encourage all residents in town to practice frequent hand-washing.