RMWB re-enters COVID-19 watch list, enacts Face Covering Bylaw

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, orange, emerging from the surface of cells, green, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID-RML via AP

Alberta reports 12 new cases and four recovered cases of COVID-19 in the RMWB over the last 72 hours.

All but one of the new cases are inside the urban service area, which has 44 active cases, one death, and 298 recoveries.

Outside the urban service area, there are seven active cases and 64 resolved cases.

With 51 active cases reported, the RMWB returns to the province’s COVID-19 watch list.

The Municipality also said, effective immediately, the Face Covering Bylaw is now in effect.

RELATED: RMWB Council passes modified Face Covering Bylaw

The bylaw, which remains in effect for the next 30 days, requires residents to wear face coverings in all indoor public spaces.

If the active case count is not less than 50 after the 30-day duration finishes, and the bylaw would continue for another cycle.

Mandated signs from the RMWB for business owners and operators are available on its website.

The Municipality also released the following list of exemptions for mask-wearing:

• Children under five years of age
• People with underlying medical conditions or disabilities inhibiting their ability to wear a face-covering
• Those unable to place, use or remove a face covering safely without assistance
• People seated while eating or drinking at a public place that offers food or beverage services
• People engaging in an athletic or fitness activity 
• Caregivers or people accompanying a person with a disability, where wearing a face covering would hinder the accommodation of the person’s disability (i.e. The ability to lip-read)
• People who have temporarily removed their face covering where doing so is necessary to provide or receive a service (i.e. A visit to the dentist)
• Those attending or leading a religious worship activity

The RMWB also asked residents to show understanding and kindness during this time.

Mandatory mask-wearing is already in place on board RMWB public transportation.

Individual COVID-19 watches remain in place for CNRL Horizon, Suncor’s Base Plant, and Syncrude’s Mildred Lake operations.

No schools within Wood Buffalo reported outbreaks or at least two cases of COVID-19.

Alberta reports

Across Alberta, there are 1440 new cases and seven additional deaths linked to COVID-19 in the last three days.

There were 364 new cases on Oct. 23, 572 on Oct. 24, and 504 on Oct. 25.

Dr Deena Hinshaw the province entered a challenging period.

Hinshaw said mandatory 15-person limits are now in place for Calgary and Edmonton.

The limit would apply to dinner parties, birthdays, social events, wedding and funeral receptions, retirement parties, and baby showers.

Restaurants, theatres, and churches are exempt from this limit.

Alberta has 4477 active cases, 307 deaths, and 20,949 recoveries of COVID-19.