'This will be a real test to our community,' interim city manager says going into Easter weekend

Easter weekend will be a testto see how well the people of Edmontonfollow physical distancing restrictions and orders issued in the past few weeks.

Interim city manager Adam Laughlinwarned Thursday that the city could take more stringentsteps to ensure people are following the province's public health orders to curb COVID-19.

"We will issue tickets," Laughlin said at a news conferenceat city hall."I'll be honest, this will be a real test to our community."

Under provincial legislation, peace officers and police are authorized to issue $1,000 fines to peopleand $100,000 to $500,000 fines to businesses and organizations found defying the orders.

Starting Friday, Laughlin said, peace officers will monitorparking lots at popular city parks.

He said if people aren't following physical distancing rules, the city will start by closing parking lots to see how people respond.

If people still aren't complying, they will take the step to close the parks, he said.

"With the situation we're in, we absolutely don't want to do that," Laughlin said. "But quite frankly, if it comes to public health or inconvenience we're going to decide based on public health."

Hereminded people that playgrounds and fenced dog parks remain closed.

• Edmonton closes fenced off-leash dog parks amid pandemic

"All remaining parks will require your dogs to be on leash at all times."

He acknowledged that many people are unhappy about the decision but said it's necessaryto discourage mass gatherings at dog parks.

"As a dog owner, I do get this," he said

Mayor Don Ivesonsaid the measures are intended to protect Edmontonians and preserve the health-care system.

As opposed to closing parksoutright, Iveson said the step to require dogs on leashis reasonable.

Transit steps

The city is also bolstering efforts to curb incidents of partying and to improve sanitation on public transit.

Edmonton Transit Service drivers started reporting more lawless behaviour at the beginning of the month. The city has designated a shuttle to take homeless people from downtown to shelters at EXPO Centre and the Kinsmen Centre.

All LRT riders have to get off theCapital Line at Century Park and at NAIT at the end of the Metro Lineto allow for thorough cleaning.

Laughlin said peace officers will make sure everyone disembarks at the end of the lines.He urged people to only take a bus or LRT if it'sessential travel.

• Man charged with trying to infect Edmonton transit workers with COVID-19
• City taking steps to address problems caused by homeless people on buses, LRT trains

Earlier, at a now-weeklyemergency advisory committee meeting, city councillorsvoiced concerns to administrators about how the city is dealing with the pandemic.

Questions ranged from what thecity is doing to improve safety on transit to what it's doing to helpfestivals faced with cancelling their events this year.

Severalcouncillors questioned the city's decisionto order people to keep their dogs on leashes in parks, after getting complaints from constituents.

Coun.Sarah Hamilton said herconstituents told her thatwithout a flexible leash, their dogs could pull them within two metres of other individuals.

"Some people felt that that put them more at risk," Hamilton said.

Coun. Tony Caterinasaid the city isn't acting fast enough to enforce orders, grillingLaughlin on the timeliness of the city's orders and urging him to order stricter measures regardless of public displeasure.

"I would expect you to make the timely decisions," Caterina said to Laughlin,adding that most people are being responsible and following the rules.

"Unfortunately there's a certain percentage of population, who under no circumstances, are going to comply, regardless of what it is," Caterinasaid.

"And if those are the people that you're pissing off, I don't care."

Unfortunately there's a certain percentage of population, who under no circumstances, are going to comply, regardless of what it is.- Coun. Tony Caterina

Laughlinsaid he and his staff areworking on what the new normal will look like for the city.

Edmonton council first declared the state of local emergency on March 20, three days after the Alberta government announced a state of public health emergency.

The city's declaration gives it extraordinary powers to impose orders on the public related to COVID-19 public health orders.

• Edmonton mayor declares state of local emergency

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