City of Lethbridge sign -- LNN

By Connor Gunn

State of Local Emergency is lifted in Lethbridge

Jun 18, 2020 | 1:41 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB– The City of Lethbridge announced Thursday that although the COVID-19 pandemic is still very active, the State of Local Emergency (SOLE) has ended.

After 13 weeks of being in the SOLE, Lethbridge is carrying on through the pandemic with health restrictions.

Mayor Chris Spearman and the City of Lethbridge would like to make sure even though the SOLE is essentially “ended”, the virus is still very much a threat.

“This is the longest State of Local Emergency that our city has ever seen but just because it’s over, doesn’t mean the crisis has passed,” said Mayor Chris Spearman.

“The impact of a second wave on the City of Lethbridge and on the economy will be devastating. If we don’t all be positive and if we don’t all be proactive about preventing a second wave, it’s going to challenge business confidence, more businesses will go under, employment will be negatively affected. We have to be positive about what we can do personally and together to make sure that there isn’t a second wave or flare-up – we need to maintain the greater goal and made sure that we have maintained a healthy community is sustained.”

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Spearman also had words of gratitude.

“I want to commend all of the staff within the City, our partner organizations, and our residents for their efforts over the last three months. As we continue to combat COVID-19 we will need this ongoing community support to continue moving forward.”

“I think that in terms of responding to the COVID-19 issue it’s really important to be positive, one of the things that’s hurt our city is negativity… there’s lots of skepticism about individual rights feel threatened when you suggest maybe people should start wearing masks right.”

“I am happy to report that as of Wednesday, June 17, the homeless shelter has returned to 2 Ave. N. from its temporary location at the Fritz Sick gymnasium,” says Marc Rathwell, Director of Emergency Management for the City of Lethbridge. “With this change, we felt confident in ending the State of Local Emergency for Lethbridge.”

Rathwell said which contributed to the SOLE ending.

Spearman and the city encourage anyone to get tests if you have or don’t have symptoms just to be sure of the world possible scenario for all and lastly, stay safe.