Community COVID-19 FAQ

The City of Lloydminster's role in the COVID-19 response is to provide factual information to the residents of Lloydminster. By declaring the State of Local Emergency, this allows the City of Lloydminster to include all orders issued under the Saskatchewan Health Act. These measures extend to all residents and businesses within city boundaries in both Alberta and Saskatchewan.

For more information, visit lloydminster.ca/COVID-19.

What is the Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that circulate in animals including humans and may cause illness in them. Human coronaviruses are common and can range from mild illnesses such as the common cold, to severe illnesses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS CoV).

Where can I find information on the City's COVID-19 response?

The City of Lloydminster is providing updates and key information at lloydminster.ca/COVID-19.

What is the maximum number of people allowed in a gathering?

The City of Lloydminster is currently under Phase 2 of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan, which allows for indoor or outdoor gatherings to have a maximum of 10 people. This limit applies to both Lloydminster, Alberta, and Lloydminster, Saskatchewan.

Can I defer my property taxes or utility payments?

Yes. On Monday, April 6, 2020, City Council passed the Payment Relief Option Plan, which will allow residential and non-residential property owners to defer their property taxes and/or utility payments.

Residents and businesses in a position to continue paying their property taxes and utility bills, as usual, are encouraged to do so.

Property Taxes

Lloydminster residential and commercial property owners will have until November 10, 2020, to pay their current property taxes. Tax notices will be issued in May; however, penalties for failure to pay current property taxes will not be applied until November 2020.

Taxpayers enrolled in the pre-authorized debit plan may cancel their ongoing payments and obtain a full refund of their contributions toward their current property taxes. Cancellations must occur before May 8, 2020.

Penalties are still applicable to any taxes in arrears, and all payments made must be applied to taxes in arrears first.

For more information, email taxes@lloydminster.ca.

Utility Payments

Lloydminster utility customers, both residential and commercial, say can be deferred 90 days up until September 30, 2020. Invoices will continue to be issued monthly, and any invoice issued before April 1, 2020, is not available for deferment.

During this time, there will be no water disconnections for nonpayment; however, where applicable, outstanding balances will be transferred to property taxes after 180 days.

For more information, email water@lloydminster.ca\.

Other Opportunities

Business licenses will still be issued; however, business license fees will not be due until September 30, 2020.

The current penalty for accounts receivable is “Net 30” after the invoice is due. Until September 30, 2020, penalty terms will be extended to “Net 60.”

Collections

The relief options will not encompass or include those already in arrears. Collection and recovery actions will continue for outstanding accounts.

How long are the City of Lloydminster's recreation and culture facilities closed for?

The City’s recreation and culture facilities - including the Servus Sports Centre, the Bioclean Aquatic Centre, the Lloydminster Cultural and Science Centre and the Lloydminster Golf and Curling Centre – are closed to the public until further notice. Currently, there is no timeline for reopening these buildings.

What if I have a membership at a City recreation facility?

The City of Lloydminster will extend all recreation memberships from the date our facilities are re-opened to the public. Currently, all facilities are closed until further notice as part of the City’s efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The City is unable to provide full or partial refunds for members impacted by the temporary closures.

How do COVID-19 social distancing measures impact funerals, weddings and worship services?

Mass gatherings are limited to no more than 10 attendees. This includes worship gatherings and family events such as weddings.

Grocery stores, shopping centres, health care facilities, airports and other essential services are exempt.

Can church services be held?

Updated guidance has been issued for places of worship to engage with congregants, while following the public health order restricting gatherings to no more than 10 people.

Services may be delivered:

Online (via Zoom, YouTube, etc.), as long as no more than 10 people are in the place of worship at one time and are strictly observing all social distancing protocols.
As drive-in services where individuals remain in their vehicles with no contact between worshippers, and only individuals from the same household occupy the same vehicle.
Drive-in services must be in designated parking lots or staging areas and also meet the following conditions:
- Event organizers must have measures in place to ensure people maintain two metres of separation if they need to leave their vehicles. However, attendees should be encouraged to remain in their vehicles.
- Vehicles must be separated by at least two metres.
- Access to washroom facilities must be limited. Where washroom access is provided, frequent cleaning and disinfection must take place throughout the event.
- People leaving their vehicles to use the washrooms must maintain a minimum of two metres of separation from others at all times.
- No food or beverage service.
- All other services must be suspended, including picnic and play areas.
- Anyone who is feeling sick or symptomatic must remain at home.
- Organizers must provide proposals for any events to local public health officials, as well as be available to answer any questions, to ensure the event does not pose a risk of spreading COVID-19.

Gyms, yoga studios and other businesses

All persons are prohibited from attending public recreation facilities and private entertainment facilities, including gyms, swimming pools, arenas, science centres, museums, art galleries, community centres, children’s play centres, casinos, racing entertainment centres and bingo halls.

I operate a restaurant/pub. Am I permitted to stay open?

Sit-down restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, food courts and other food-servicing facilities, including those with a minors-allowed liquor license, are to limited take-out, delivery or drive-thru service only. Licensed facilities will also be permitted to deliver liquor.

At this time, not-for-profit community kitchens, soup kitchens and religious kitchens are exempt; however, social distancing of at least two-metres must be practised.

I operate a bar/night club. Am I permitted to stay open?

Until further notice, all persons in the City of Lloydminster are restricted from attending bars and nightclubs.

I operate a business and require additional information. Where should I start?

An evolving business toolkit has been prepared that includes additional information and links to government agencies. The toolkit is available at lloydminster.ca/toolkit.

What if I run out of toilet paper?

Alternative products such as Kleenex, fabrics, paper towel etc. are not suitable alternatives to toilet paper and should be disposed of per the City's the organics protocols. Flushing these items may result in clogs in your home plumbing system, as well as City infrastructure. Learn more about the disposal of unflushable items at lloydminster.ca/GreaseBeast.

What does a state of local emergency mean?

The State of Local Emergency (SOLE) declaration grants the City of Lloydminster authority to implement response measures in addition to, or beyond those established by either the province and allows the City to ensure consistency in governance across provincial jurisdictions.

For more information, visit lloydminster.ca/state-of-local-emergency.

Are there any City buildings open?

Effective Monday, March 23, 2020, all City of Lloydminster municipal offices will be closed to the public. This includes City Hall, the Operations Centre and Employee Relations. Municipal services will be continued during regular business hours. Please contact 780-875-6184 or email info@lloydminster.ca with any questions.

How should I pay my bills?

Residents are required to utilize online or mail-in payment methods at this time.

Learn more about the available payment methods. If you have questions regarding the available payment methods, please contact 780-875-6184 during regular business hours.

Which provincial protocols are we following in Lloydminster?

For the City of Lloydminster's purposes, we will be predominantly following all orders issued under the Saskatchewan Health Act.

Are emergency services like policing and fire affected?

No. The City of Lloydminster and emergency responders have business continuity plans in place to ensure emergency response services remain available.

What financial supports are available to me?

View the financial supports available from the provincial and federal government.

If you have basic needs you can’t meet or require assistance, call 211 to be connected with social and community resources (including food) for support.

*Please note, 211 works for both Saskatchewan and Alberta residents.

On Monday, April 6, 2020, City Council approved the Payment Relief Option Plan. For details, refer to the respective headline in the FAQs.

How does COVID-19 affect curbside collection?

To ensure the safety of contractors and employees and reduce contamination, additional precautionary measures will be effective immediately:

Waste Cart (grey bin)

all contents must be bagged before being placed in the grey cart
contents must not overflow
lids must be completely closed

Organics Cart (green bin)

all food waste must be bagged in certified compostable bags

Recycling (blue or clear bag)

no tissue or medical waste is permitted (these items must be placed in the waste cart)

Failure to comply will result in a violation. A violation sticker will be placed on your cart or bag, indicating the issue. Residents must correct the error in order for the items to be collected the following week.

Can I hold a garage or yard sale?

No. Garage and yard sales are not permitted until further notice.

These types of sales or gatherings are not critical public services, nor are they allowable businesses under the provincial public health order.