Wednesday, November 25, 2020 Vol. 43, No. 48
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NEW COVID RESTRICTIONS ANNOUNCED BY PROVINCE LATE TUESDAY •Strong new restrictions on indoor and outdoor social gatherings, dining, Grades 7-12 move to online, events in jeopardy • Further restrictions for provincial regions listed under enhanced (purple) status • Beaver County, MD of Wainwright not under enhanced as of Tuesday, Flagstaff County now purple with 15 active cases Patricia Harcourt Editor
While the area around Viking called Viking (Beaver County East) still has only one case of COVID-19 as of Tuesday, the other half of the county isn’t faring as well. Tofield (Beaver County West) now has seven active cases with an outbreak at Tofield School. The M.D. of Wainwright has five active cases with two deaths reported. There are no cases at the Viking School at this time, officials have confirmed. And Flagstaff County’s total rose to 15 in fairly dramatic fashion as there were only five reported on Sunday, and is now in the enhanced status phase for rapid increases in cases. Premier Jason Kenney and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced greater restrictions late Tuesday afternoon that are considered vital in bringing down the number of cases spiralling out of control, especially in the Edmonton and Calgary enhanced zones. Kenney declared a provincial State of Public Health Emergency and placed restrictions on social gatherings across the province. The province-wide social gathering restrictions apply to the local Viking (Beaver County East) area, as do the new rules for on-line learning for older students. Kenney called social gatherings the “biggest problem” in the spread
of the virus and “the key reason COVID-19 is winning.” There will be no indoor social gatherings allowed of any kind, and a maximum of 10 person limit for outdoor gatherings. Weddings and funerals also will only be allowed 10 person gatherings, and receptions will not be allowed at all. As for the school system, he said teenagers are more likely transmitters of the virus than younger ones. There have been rising community transmissions that have been affecting the schools throughout the province, including a school in Forestburg in Flagstaff County and Tofield School in Beaver County, as well as some schools in surrounding jurisdictions. Province-wide, including Viking School, all students from Grade 7 to 12 will start in-home learning on Nov. 30, and return to in-person learning Jan. 11. The idea is to give these older students a break from exposure to the virus at school, and after the holidays a week to determine if they are healthy and able to return virus free. The younger students will be allowed to attend school (Grade 1-6), and early childhood services will also remain open so parents can continue to go to work until Dec. 18. They, too, would return to school on Jan. 11. Peace Officers will be allowed to deliver fines, he said. An emergency alert is going out to everyone telling
them of these developments. Other rules were specified for regions that are under enhanced status. Effective immediately for these regions restrictions were put in place for places of worship, businesses, and services and are in place until further notice. Kenney said restrictions for gatherings in places of worship “are no longer guidelines and will no longer be optional,” and attendees will be limited to one-third of normal attendance. Masks will be required to be worn and physical distancing between households As of Nov. 27, business and service restrictions in enhanced areas will be categorized into ‘closed for in-person business,’ ‘open with restrictions’ and ‘open by appointment only,’ with these measures in place for three weeks. As part of this, banquet halls, conference rooms, and concert venues will be closed. Retail businesses can remain open but are restricted to 25 per cent occupancy. Indoor workplaces in Edmonton, Calgary, and surrounding areas must have persons wearing masks until further notice. “All workers who can work from home should do so,” Kenney urged, noting that workplaces are major transmitters of the virus. “This is not a crushing lockdown,” said Kenney, owning that every measure put in place affects many people. He encouraged Albertans to shop
local, and support local businesses whenever possible. He also said there was no political motivation in doing this. “We’re taking measures now so we have a chance before Christmas,” then measure the results. If this doesn’t work, he said that “greater sacrifices will have to be made later in December.” The reason for the action taken is because active cases of COVID-19 have reached 13,349 people with 348 in hospital and 66 in intensive care. The total number of deaths from the virus are 492. On Nov. 20, 1,155 new cases were identified, followed by another 1,549 cases three days later on Nov. 23. “The growth rate of COVID-19 cases is alarming,” said Hinshaw. “Even with the new measures, because of the lag time between announcing and impact, additional health measures such as cancelling urgent surgeries may be needed temporarily to ensure hospitals can cope with COVID-related illness. “All Albertans must take additional measures very seriously; this virus is highly contagious. Only by working together can we protect each other, reduce the spread and protect our health system,” she said. It is unclear at press time in what ways the new measures will affect local businesses and events currently being planned. Look for further updates in the next edition of the Weekly Review.
Page 2 - The Weekly Review, Wednesday, November 25, 2020
‘Fill the Tree’ aims to double last year Patricia Harcourt
Main Street Viking, AB
6th Annual Jingle Bell Shop
Editor
The Fill the Tree Campaign is once again underway at The Weekly Review, held to raise money for Viking/Beaver FCSS’s Christmas Hamper Silk and Birch program and the local Food Bank, who work hard to make Christmas merSat, Dec 5 from 10 am - 5 pm Friday, Centre rier and brighter for others. Dec. 6 Piece Class In-store specials and discounts for this day Store Specials! “This has been such a hard year for families of all businesses affected by Sun., only! Come in and see what we have to New stock! Free Dec. 6 3:30 PM andincludes Hot COVID-19, for families in oil and gas, and for people who were already offer for your Christmas Gift and Decor goodies$75 all supplies and beverage Apple Cider! needs! No hot apple cider or snacks this of choice. Must pre register and etransfer to vulnerable going into a global pandemic,” said Publisher Eric Anderson. Javablossomflowersltd@gmail.com year due to COVID regulations “Any little bit we can all do to try and make a difference for our fellow person goes a long way.” This is the fourth year in a row that the community has turned out to contribute for others in a time of need when celebrating can be difficult without help. Last year’s total was $1,256 and that has already been surpassed, thanks to people stepping up early in the campaign. “We’re pleased to report we’ve already given FCSS and the Food Bank nearly $700 each, the earliest we’ve ever been able to deliver funds to them,” said Anderson. “Our goal now is to double last year’s total or at least come close.” Donations are being accepted until Monday, Dec. 21. The amount donated never gets published, so it doesn’t matter if it’s $5 or $500, any amount is accepted and appreciated. “We just want to give recognition to each person able to give what they can, especially during such a trying year,” said Anderson. Cliff Grinde 780-336-6333 “And we’re beyond thrilled so far by the Darcy Sheets 780-336-6485 response and with just under a month left to go Robert Kunnick 780-336-6301 Mel Pydde 780-933-0048 we feel it’s not unrealistic to think we could douEd McCormack 780-787-0083 ble last year’s total. “Anyone thinking of putting an amount towards the tree - big or small - feel free to stop by our office or pop something in the mail. It takes 30 seconds and makes a huge difference,” he said. The Weekly Review also has a collection box at its Viking office for the “In Lieu of Community Christmas Cards” program as well, which is organized by the Viking Legion. www.vikingauctionmarket.ca “Our eternal thanks to everyone for continuing to make this a success,” Anderson said.
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The Weekly Review, Wednesday, November 25, 2020 - Page 3
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Viking Cold Beer & Liquor Store The Viking Health Foundation is grateful to have had the opportunity to provide funding for the construction of a gazebo at the Viking Health Centre. The structure, which is located on the old helipad, can be accessed through the patio doors from the visitors lounge. Staff and patients were able to enjoy the space during the summer months and it proved a lovely spot to spend time in the warm weather. The gazebo was designed by Shawn Bird, who also oversaw the project. A big thank you is owed to Dennis and Laura Bird of JD Construction for their generous donation that made this project possible.
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