Edmonton council frustrated by lack of COVID-19 data, measures from province

Edmonton city councillors say they are frustrated at the province's lack of information and steps taken to curb the recent spike in COVID-19 cases.

At council's emergency advisory committee Thursday, several councillors said they're concerned the Alberta government isn't sharing data or taking the necessarymeasures to address the pandemic.

"I do have some frustration with the lack of transparency around the data and modelling and where we are, and where we need to get to," said Coun. Michael Walters.

He noted the province was more forthcoming in the spring, but that openness seems to have disappeared.

"I don't know exactly how bad things are going to get and the various pathways that we can travel together as a community to avoid the worst case scenario," Walters said. "That's not being shown to us.

Mayor Don Iveson notedthe Edmonton zone has the highest number of cases in the province.

"What are the trigger points for stronger measures that you look to bring in at the regional scale?" Iveson asked Dr. Michael Zakhary, a medical officer of health for the Edmonton zone, who joined the meeting to answer questions."This is the question I'm getting endlessly now."

Ivesonwondered ifrisingtransmission rates, positivity testing rates orhospitalization numbers will trigger tighter restrictions.

Last Friday, the province suspended indoor group activitiesand team sports for two weeks, and ordered restaurants and pubs to stop serving alcohol at 10 p.m. and close by 11 p.m.

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Zakhary said further restrictions are in the hands of Alberta Health.

"We haven't had information from Alberta Health about the triggers for the next for the next action," Zakhary said.

Iveson said he's hearingmorepeople calling for furthermeasures.

"The public wants to know, and so do we," Iveson said.

• Alberta restaurants to stay open, barring 'catastrophe,' premier says

The city has the authorityto impose restrictions, includingcurfews or limitinghours for non-essential businesses, but the Alberta government can do the same moreswiftly under the Alberta Health Act.

Edmonton police have the authority to issuefines under provincial health orders, but city bylaw and peace officers can only hand out tickets to people violating the city's face-covering byaw.

Interim city manager Adam Laughlin announced no new restrictions Thursday.

City managers are working with neighbouringmunicipalities to look atwhat collective steps can be taken without theprovince,Laughlinsaid.

The city is also working withCalgary on a "cohesive" approach to measures and guidelines, he said.

Edmonton can declare a state of local emergency,as it did in March, but Ivesonsaidthat authority is meant morefor natural disastersand not health pandemics.

Looming deadline

Council's emergency advisory committee was scheduled to next meet on Dec. 10 but Coun. Andrew Knack suggested, considering the urgency of the situation, it should meet again next week. He's hoping to have answers by then.

"Everyone's been using the phrase, 'We're all in this together,'" Knack said.

"Well, those are fairly meaningless words if we don't have the information and the data to come together as a collective group of governments, as administrations, as the publicto work through this."

Iveson agreed to schedule the meetingfor Nov. 27, the same day the province's temporaryrestrictions are toend.

Councilwill voteon extending the city's face covering bylaw toMay 31 onFriday afternoon.

The bylaw, which went into effect Aug. 1,requires people to wear a mask or face covering in all indoor public places. The fine for not doing so is $100.

@natashariebe