Saint Andrews – At the special council meeting on Wednesday, March 18, Deputy Mayor Brad Henderson said, “We are not high ranking officials in Ottawa, and we are not high ranking officials in Fredericton – we are your neighbours, and it is absolutely imperative that you stay home for 14 days if you have been travelling internationally.”
Effective Wednesday, March 18, Saint Andrews town council began broadcasting their council meetings on YouTube Live via CHCO-TV’s YouTube channel.
The recreational facilities in Saint Andrews including the W.C. O’Neill Arena and Community Youth Centre (except parks and trails) will be closed to the public until further notice. This action comes on the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer of Health of the Province of New Brunswick to not have groups of more than 150 people and to respect social distancing of 2 meters.
During the meeting, town CAO Chris Spear said, “In collaboration with Kiwanis Club of Saint Andrews we are setting up a volunteer service for those that are potentially infected or other vulnerable populations that prefer to stay home to stay safe. They are offering food and pharmacy deliveries within the town limits.”
Residents can either call Joey’s Independent Grocer, or Cockburns Pharmacy with a credit card to place an order, these businesses will pack the products and volunteers will deliver them to your home.
As of March 17, Joey’s is open from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. for seniors only on Monday to Saturday. This will give them a chance to shop without fear of large crowds. On Sundays the store will be open from 8 a.m to 12 p.m. for seniors only as well.
“A big community thank you to these organizations for stepping up in these challenging times,” he added.
“The volunteers are also ready to check on vulnerable persons,” said Councillor Guy Groulx. He urged those who were at risk to call the town office at 529-5120 to put their name on a “check-on list”.
Additionally, public works and water/wastewater facilities will remain open to staff. The CAO said these measures will help to reduce the spread of the virus and protect the health of employees and the community. He added that in all other respects, it is business as usual for town services including snow clearing, water and wastewater.
The Town of Saint Andrews has already taken measures in its facilities to try to reduce the risk of contamination including an increase in the frequency of cleaning in high traffic areas and high touch surfaces. Additional hand sanitizer stations have been installed throughout Town Hall and the Arena as well, and hand washing posters have been posted in all public washrooms.
The town would also like people to know that bill payments can be made online, and also at the town hall at 212 Water Street between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
For additional questions regarding the Town of Saint Andrews and their process for managing the COVID-19 pandemic please contact the Town Office at (506) 529 5120 or email town@townofstandrews.ca
andrewsutton@stcroixcourier.ca