WESTLOCK – The Town of Westlock will no longer be requiring proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 tests to enter the Rotary Spirit Centre, Westlock Aquatic Centre and Community Assistance Bus following the provincial removal of the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP).
Alberta premier Jason Kenney announced Feb. 8 that the REP would be lifted across the province Feb. 9 in the first step of removing all pandemic measures across Alberta.
“It's really as simple as no longer requiring QR codes to enter our rec facilities and use our community assistance bus, that’s what the bulk of it means to us,” said Town of Westlock CAO Simone Wiley, shortly after a meeting the municipal COVID recovery taskforce Feb. 9. “We’re excited to be able to welcome the rest of the community into our facilities. It’s been a long time and I certainly am looking forward to going back to some level of normalcy.”
The program was first introduced in September 2021 and required Albertans to provide government-issued proof of immunization, or a negative COVID-19 test to enter restaurants, bars and recreation facilities.
When the program kicked off, Wiley says it was a rocky start for facility staff, but they were quick to get their feet under them.
“Early on there were challenges and everyone had to get use to how the program was working, even the town had to figure out how the program was working. It took a little while for the guidance information to follow the REP program, so nobody was very clear on what all the various pieces meant,” Wiley said, noting it became easier as they adapted.
As part of Kenney’s announcement, a three-stage plan was revealed that would see more restrictions lifted over the coming months based on hospitalizations. Wiley says the town will continue to follow the provincial guidelines and recommendations as they come.
“Our focus is on reacting and starting the conversation, figuring out what it means to the town and our operations when the province makes these changes. Our process has largely and has always been to follow the provincial guidelines and decisions, so it’s always been up to them to make the restrictions and put these programs in place,” she said.
Moving forward, Wiley says the town plans to respect each individual and worker and their comfort levels when using town facilities.
“There’s different comfort levels in every individual person,” said Wiley. “Some people, once masking is no longer mandatory, may not be comfortable in work settings and meetings without wearing a mask. So we will still encourage our staff to participate in whatever their comfort level is. There is certainly a very different comfort level between people.”
