COVID-19 Information and Resources

Changes to County facilities

Offices at McArthur Place and County Centre have reopened to the public as of June 1. New safety measures are in place to protect both the public and staff members at those locations.

The Bold Center will partially reopen on Thursday, July 2. Starting that day, the Fitness Centre, CNRL Walking Track and Field House 2 will be open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Please click here to read the Reopening FAQ.

Fork Lake Campground and Paul Richard Memorial Spray Park have reopened for regular use as of June 26, 2020. Please obey all posted signage in these areas.

Portage Pool is expected to reopen August 4.

Landfills and transfer stations remain open to the public, but Reuse Centres at these sites are closed until further notice.

Changes to County services

Due to the need for physical distancing, some of the services we provide have changed.

We have introduced alternative bill payment methods.

The Planning & Development department's services remain available. Please call (780) 623-1747 or email planning.development@laclabichecounty.com for more information. In addition, new safety protocols have been introduced for Safety Codes inspections performed by our contractor, The Inspections Group. 

Lac La Biche County Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) will suspend virtual programming during the summer months. Starting June 15, 2020, some limited in-person programming will be offered following Alberta Health Services' protocols. Please follow our Facebook pages (@llbcountyFCSS and @llbparent.link) for updates.

Landfills and transfer stations require customers to stay in their vehicles while on the scales and completing transactions. At this time, printed receipts are not being provided.

Until further notice, Lac La Biche County Council will be holding Regular Council Meetings and Special Council Meetings electronically through the ZOOM platform. Public access to these meetings will also be electronic, as outlined below.

The County's website will provide the information necessary for the public to access each meeting at least 24 hours in advance. Each meeting agenda will include the Meeting ID needed for access.

Please use the following instructions to access a meeting:

Joining by telephone:

• Dial 1 (587) 328-1099 or 1 (855) 703-8985
• When prompted, enter the Meeting ID (which will be found in the meeting's calendar listing on this website) then press the “#” key
• Remain on the line and you will be entered into the meeting

Joining through webinar:

• Clink on the following link: https://zoom.us/join
• Enter the Meeting ID (which will be found in the meeting's calendar listing on this website)

Upcoming Council meetings will continue to be added to our website's Meetings & Events calendar. Meeting agenda packages and approved meeting minutes will continue to be available on this website.

Please note that Public Input Sessions have been suspended until September 30, 2020, but scheduled delegations with Council can still be requested.

For further information, please contact Legislative Services at (780) 623-1747 or by email at legservices@laclabichecounty.com.

Search #LLBCTogether on social media to find updates about COVID-19-related changes made by local businesses and service providers.

Business information for residents

Many local businesses are adjusting their hours of operation and the ways in which they provide services. Please click here to see business information that has been provided to us.

In these trying times, it's important than ever to support local businesses and help them weather the storm. Local businesses mean local jobs and dollars staying within our community.

Help finding family support resources

If you need information or help connecting with local family support resources, Lac La Biche County Family & Community Support Services can assist you.

• General family support inquiries - Call (780) 623-6819 or email anita.polturak@laclabichecounty.com
• Early childhood and young families - (780) 623-6365 or email amanda.cheyne@laclabichecounty.com
• Teenagers and families - (780) 623-6754 or email christine.martin@laclabichecounty.com
• Seniors - (780) 623-6726 or email trish.leduc@laclabichecounty.com

Click here to find the latest information from the Government of Alberta.

Click here to access the online COVID-19 Self-Assessment tool.

Common symptoms of COVID-19

COVID-19 symptoms may be mild or severe.

Common symptoms include coughing, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose and sore throat. Signs of serious illness include difficulty breathing and pneumonia.

Basic steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19

1. Obey all public health guidelines and restrictions that the Government of Alberta has put in place, including self-isolating when required. Please click here for the latest updates and click here for information about self-isolation requirements.

2. Practice physical distancing. Keep at least two metres between yourself and others.

3. Stay at home unless you have an essential reason for going out. Work from home if you can and avoid social gatherings.

4. Practice good hygiene, like frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding touching your face.

5. Call Health Link at 811 if you have questions or concerns about your health.

Caring for your mental health

COVID-19 is having a significant impact on residents' lives, and it may be difficult for individuals and families to adjust to changes.

The Canadian Mental Health Association - Edmonton Region has set up a Distress Line that is available 24/7. Please click here for more information, or call (780) 482-4357 (HELP) if you are in crisis or distress.

Alberta Health Services offers Text4Hope, a free service providing three months of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-based text messages written by mental health professionals. Please click here for more information, or text COVID19HOPE to 393393 to subscribe.

Mental health care tips:

1. Call, video-chat or play online games with friends and family members whom you can't see in person. Stay connected, and don't be afraid to ask for support.

2. Get your information from reliable sources, and don't only consume information about COVID-19. Information overload can lead to increased stress.

3. Make sure you get enough sleep and exercise, and maintain a balanced diet.

4. Set up new routines. For most of us, staying at home as much as possible is much different than our regular day-to-day activities. Plan your days so they feel more structured and you have set tasks to help you feel productive.

5. Try new hobbies or pastimes. These add variety and creativity to your routine and help you to stay busy.

6. Reach out to friends and family members when you're feeling anxious, bored or lonely.

Businesses in Lac La Biche County that need support during the COVID-19 pandemic should consider the resources below.

Are you not sure if your business is considered essential or non-essential? Email bizconnect@gov.ab.ca for guidance.

County business connections

Join scheduled calls for Lac La Biche County businesses, to better understand the needs, requirements and guidelines in place and discuss impacts to our local business community.

Scheduled calls for Lac La Biche County businesses will be held via Zoom.
To receive notifications about upcoming calls, please email jana.rowe@laclabichecounty.com.

Economic Developers of Alberta survey

Economic Developers of Alberta (EDA) has asked Alberta businesses to complete a survey, to help with gathering high-level data on business impacts, needs and resources.

Please click here for additional information for employers and employees, business continuity resources and information regarding financial assistance.

Customizable "We're Open" Signage

As businesses are adjusting their hours of operation and the ways in which they provide services, we have developed customizable "We're Open" signage for local businesses. Click here to view and download the fillable PDF template.

Any business owner with software that can open PDF documents will be able to fill in the template, using the blank upper-right space for a business logo, and print the page to display in business doorways and windows.

Staying safe while staying open

Business owners should follow all public health regulations and keep up with the latest information from the Government of Alberta. Below are at-a-glance guidelines and recommendations (based on information from the provincial government) for local businesses that are operating in these challenging times.

Offices at County Centre and McArthur Place have reopened to the public as of June 1, with new safety controls in place. McArthur Place has a new reception area on the main floor, and this is the preferred location for paying taxes and County bills, although residents can still pay these at County Centre if they wish.

Alternative bill payment options are available for residents who do not wish to visit our offices in person (please click here to download information about them).

There are options for payments by credit card, mail and drop-box, as well as online payments and payments through financial institutions.

Utility payments can be deferred, as per guidelines provided by the Government of Alberta. Residents and businesses must call us at the number below to register for the deferral program.

If you have questions or need assistance, please call (780) 623-1747 or email main.office@laclabichecounty.com.

The Bold Center is partially reopening to the public on Thursday, July 2, 2020. Please click here to read the Reopening FAQ.

All recreation memberships will be unsuspended and become active again once the Bold Center and Portage Pool are fully opened and operating under regular hours, with full services. This includes payment plans as well. In the meantime, members are free to unsuspend their memberships at any time that is most convenient for them.

Please call (780) 623-3829 or email recreation@laclabichecounty.com for more information.

County-run parks, walking trails and other outdoor spaces remain open for public use. You can use them as long as you are NOT in mandatory self-isolation. However, we ask that you keep at least two metres (6.5 feet) of distance between yourself and any people you don't live with, at all times.

If using a playground structure like a swingset, consider carrying disinfectant wipes to sanitize bars, rails and other surfaces. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water when you get home.

Spending time outside is a good way to get exercise and boost your mental health, but stay home if you feel sick or if you show any symptoms of COVID-19.

Helpful links

Government of Alberta

• Updates from the Chief Medical Officer

Alberta Health Services

• Online COVID-19 Self-Assessment

Government of Canada

For information about County services and local changes due to COVID-19, please call (780) 623-1747 or email main.office@laclabichecounty.com. Your inquiry will be directed to the appropriate department.