So far as the community mobilizes to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Staff Sergeant Ed Bourque of the Drumheller RCMP says so far, they have not seen a change in the number of calls they are receiving.
    “Call volume is about normal for this time of year. We are definitely responding to fewer calls for service in person on a priority basis,” said Bourque.
    As of March 19, Alberta RCMP detachments modified their service delivery at front counters and access to public spaces within RCMP facilities.
     “A number of changes have been put in place to protect the health of our employees and the public. These decisions were made to ensure there were no impacts to essential services, keeping our communities safe,” said Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, Commanding Officer of the Alberta RCMP.
    Bourque says “Our doors are locked to the public, much of our front desk duties are done remotely or electronically for now.”
    He adds RCMP officers are taking precautions when responding to calls on a case by case basis, and have personal protective equipment that can be used if they believe COVID 19 is a concern.
    With the enactment of provincial Public Health Orders and the federal Quarantine Act, community peace officers and police are working with governments to enforce these orders.
    “Community peace officers and police officers will enforce public health orders such as gatherings of groups of 15 or more, non-compliant business operations and violations of the direction to self-isolate. Additionally, the federal Quarantine Act is now in effect in our country,” said Zablocki. “This act helps our federal government ensure those who are required to quarantine are doing so. What this means to the RCMP and those we serve is our officers will assist those who are ensuring quarantine orders are being followed.”
    Bourque said, “We continue to work closely with the emergency management team and bylaw to ensure we are aligning our resources in conjunction with AHS, and in discussion with our district.”
    While there are laws in place, Emergency Management director Darwin Durnie says it is about changing habits.
    “Social behaviour is changing in our community and around the world. Unacceptable behaviour is no longer acceptable. I’m aware of residents reporting and encourage them to continue to do so,” said Durnie. “I cannot stress enough, PLEASE STAY HOME. If you need to leave the house, please respect the 2-metre social distancing policy. Do not make the grocery store your new social gathering place. Do your shopping and leave. The Town is committed to doing our part to protect the community, but everyone needs to do their part too. Together we can fight this virus.”

    Drumheller is a great place to visit, just not during the COVID-19 pandemic.
     As Drumheller prepares for the possible outbreak in the community, one precaution it has taken is to erect a sign at the entrance of East Coulee with signs stating permanent residents only.
    These signs are to dissuade people with summer cottages in the valley from coming out. According to a post from Drumheller Alert, this is in line with Alberta’s Chief Medical Health Officer Deena Hinshaw’s recommendations. She noted this is not the time for people to go to their summer cottages or seasonal villages to self-isolate. If people are leaving a place with community transmission, the risk they may inadvertently be incubating the virus, taking it with them and infecting a small community could be catastrophic.
    The Town of Drumheller is following these same recommendations.
    Mayor Heather Colberg released a video in conjunction with Travel Drumheller to ask visitors to keep Drumheller in mind, but wait until it is safe to visit.
    “My home is the Dinosaur Capital of the World, and at this time of year we are gearing up to greet millions of visitors. We know you love Drumheller as much as we do, but for now, I am asking you to stay home and stay healthy. She said.  
    “Our amazing landscape and community will be waiting for you when we reopen.”