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Re-entry plans being finalized as June 1 date nears

Everything remains on schedule for the voluntary re-entry to begin June 1.

Mayor Melissa Blake and Bob Couture, Director of Emergency Management for the REOC spoke to media Thursday afternoon reiterating that residents must be prepared before making their way back to Fort McMurray.

Residents are to have at least 14 days worth of food and supplies which includes a respirator as air quality may worsen upon arrival.

Seniors and small children are recommended to not return immediately but ultimately it is your decision. Residents will only be allowed in if the air quality is deemed safe and if all five of the requirements are met.

“You’re going to see some different things in our community when you return and you need to not only look at the moment that we’re in but what we can do with that into the future,” said Blake. “There’s some great opportunity in some of these Fire Smart areas to reintegrate community and vision and the ability for neighbors to come together much as we’ve learned to do in this entire process.”

Details are still being processed on what time the gates will open for residents on June 1 as RCMP continue to turn away people at the Highway 63 and 881 intersection who think they can get into the city early. Those details will be released in the coming days.

“When we’re bringing the residents back and our community back, we’re hoping that they (residents) respect what we’re asking them to do,” said Couture. “To load that many people into the community at one time causes problems of overloading the system and we want to do it in that stage effect out of respect of all residents.”

Questions have swirled about what is the process to rebuild the city and if local companies will get the first shot at jobs. Blake said no companies have been contracted out by the Municipality as of yet and she’s not sure where all of the confusion began of outside companies already being hired.

“We have a very high commitment to our local business and community, we recognize that these are extraordinary circumstances that we have been out of play for quite some time and to the extent possible if we are able to utilize the resources that exist then that is what we are going to do,’ said Blake.

Blake added that some jobs may be bigger or need more expertise which would require workers from other companies to come in but the priority is to meet the local needs first.

Couture ended the conference by asking all non-essential services to stop asking if they can re-enter the city early. The answer is no and it is stalling the process of getting the essential services such as grocery stores, gas stations and health clinics back up and running in time.

Before returning to Fort McMurray, it is highly recommended to read the re-entry booklet.