(Photo Supplied: Evacuees salute members of the RCMP after finally being allowed to travel south from camps north of Fort McMurray. Alberta RCMP)
Just over a week ahead of the conditional return of residents to Fort McMurray the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has released a 36-page re-entry information booklet.
The document outlines steps that must be taken before re-entering your home and the community. It contains information on safety, air quality, accommodations and housing options, preventing mold, disposing of food, insurance details, cleaning your home and much more.
The package immediately highlights that services will be limited in the early days of the conditional return and that you should prepare to bring basic necessities to last 14 days including food, drinking water and prescriptions.
Due to limited operational abilities at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre those suffering from respiratory or heart conditions should not return until at least Jun. 15 when the NLRHC is expected to be fully operational. Anyone requiring primary care, specialist care should also stay away until mid-June. The same is true for those more than 36-weeks pregnant or with a high-risk pregnancy. Anyone receiving cancer treatment, dialysis or other specialized medical services, home care, home oxygen or home health supports will also not be available. Finally anyone recently discharged from hospital or who has had a transplant should wait until the hospital is up and running at full capacity.
Those requiring counselling or mental-health services should also hold out on returning to Fort McMurray immediately.
As long as conditions are met the first group of residents will be able to voluntarily return to Fort McMurray on Wednesday, Jun. 1.
Voluntary re-entry dates:
Jun. 1: Lower Townsite, Anzac, Fort McMurray First Nation, Gregoire Lake Estates
Jun. 2: Parsons Creek, Stone Creek, Timberlea, Eagle Ridge, Dickinsfield,
Jun. 3: Thickwood, Wood Buffalo, Gregoire, Prairie Creek, Saprae Creek Estates
Jun. 4: Waterways, Abasand, Beacon Hill, Grayling Terrace, Draper
