City of Brandon Preparing for Potential Coronavirus Response

Brandon, MB – In response to the Province of Manitoba announcing Manitoba’s first laboratory-confirmed presumptive positive case of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the City of Brandon’s Emergency Response Control Team will be enacting a number of preventative measures in the public realm aimed at helping to slow the virus’s spread and minimize its impact on our health care system and in our communities.

First and foremost, the City of Brandon would encourage all members of the public to diligently visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/coronavirus/index.html, which is being updated daily by the Province of Manitoba with information on its response. Health-related questions or concerns about COVID-19 (coronavirus) can also be directed to Health Links – Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257.

Brandon City Council and City of Brandon Administration will be evaluating its current slate of public meetings to determine if any postponements or cancellations need to be made and will communicate any scheduling changes that may arise. In addition, the City of Brandon would ask that all residents carefully consider if attending to civic facilities is necessary, or whether conducting their business with the City of Brandon by phone, email or web service is a viable option for them.

Effective immediately, if attending to a civic facility, all members of the public will be directed to either thoroughly wash their hands or apply hand sanitizer provided upon entry. All visitors accessing Brandon City Hall (410-9^th Street) are to use the Louise Avenue entrance and all visitors accessing the A.R. McDiarmid Civic Complex (638 Princess Avenue) are to use the 7^th Street entrance until further notice. City of Brandon staff are being instructed to practice safe social distancing when interacting with customers (minimizing prolonged contact of more than 10 minutes or close contact less than two metres/six feet) and would encourage all public accessing our facilities to practice the same.

As the supply of potable water to the City of Brandon is critical to its residents, institutions, and businesses, the City of Brandon Municipal Water treatment facility located at 108 26th Street North is now CLOSED to all public until further notice. Daily production of water by plant staff continues as per normal and protecting safe operations at the facility remains of utmost importance to the City of Brandon Emergency Preparedness and Response Team.

At this time, Brandon Transit services have not been impacted. The entire transit fleet is cleaned at end of each night of service and staff have been instructed to use additional sanitizing methods as required. All Brandon Transit users are encouraged to practice safe social distancing to the extent that is possible while using transit services.

The City of Brandon’s Emergency Response Control Team will be monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus), situation as it evolves, working directly with Manitoba Health, and will provide additional public updates in the coming days and weeks as required.

(City of Brandon Media Release)