Physical distancing complaints spike as ‘hot spots’ emerge in city
The Whyte Avenue Tim Hortons’ parking lot, the Royal Glenora stairs and the Winterburn School basketball court are just some of Edmonton’s social distancing breach “hot spots” being reported.
In an email Thursday, spokesman Kris Berezanski said the city has received a total of 251 complaints about physical distancing between April 1 and April 28. Of these complaints, 170 came through 311 and 81 were submitted through the online web form.
Edmonton has seen an upward trend in complaints with the warming weather, which has also formed hot spots, Berezanski said.
“Data collected through 311 and the web form is additionally informed by active patrols, (Alberta Health Services) and (Edmonton Police Service) to identify complaint ‘hot spots’ in Edmonton. With this information, the city plans proactive patrols in these areas to ensure people remain compliant with public health orders,” Berezanski said.
Some of these hot spots include parking lots on Gateway Boulevard, Mckernan School and Park, Castle Downs Park and Oxford Park, as well as the Whyte Avenue Tim Hortons parking lot, the Royal Glenora stairs to the river valley, and the Winterburn School basketball court.
Last weekend, peace officers conducted 118 patrols of parks, playgrounds, skate parks and offleash areas.
About 1,800 Edmontonians were observed in those areas during patrols.
Forty-three education and verbal warnings were given for minor violations and infractions while one ticket was issued for a dog offleash in a park.
As of Wednesday, the Edmonton Police Service has responded to 453 alleged incidents under the Public Health Act Order since March 23. A total of 46 tickets have been handed out.
“Education of the public and volunteer compliance remain EPS’S preferred approach to enforcement of the (Public Health Act) pandemic orders,” said spokesman
Scott Pattison in an email.
Meanwhile, between April 1 and April 28, Alberta Health Services (AHS) has received 11,661 COVID-19 related complaints or service requests with 8,096 received through the online portal. Of those, 949 are related to self-isolation and 18 COVID-19 related orders have been issued.
On April 15, an Edmonton hair salon was ordered to immediately close by AHS for failing to comply with the public health orders. After an inspection, Sala Salon, located at 13915 127 St., was found to have breached the public health orders by providing services to the public.