City forgiving parking tickets around General Hospital, will hold emergency meeting

The City of Regina is going to relax enforcement and forgive parking tickets due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city announced Thursday evening it will be forgiving all non-safety-related (vehicles parked in front of fire hydrants/too close to a corner/blocking a driveway) parking tickets issued around the area surrounding the Regina General Hospital that have been issued after March 13.

In a release, the city said parking enforcement in the area will be relaxed to recognize the work being done by medical health professionals at this time. Tickets will still be issued in cases that present significant or imminent safety concerns.

“We have heard the concerns raised by staff at the General Hospital,” said Mayor Michael Fougere in a news release. “We recognize that these are unusual circumstances and health care professionals are more limited in their movement than ever and we need to respond in kind.”

With a list of things to consider in the wake of COVID-19 and public health measures that have been put into place, city council will hold an emergency meeting Friday morning.

Earlier in the day, Fougere said that council wanted to move quickly.

“We haven’t seen cases emerge like we have seen in other cities and other provinces and other parts of the world, but the wave is coming our way,” said Fougere.

Fougere said with people in self-isolation and health-care workers wearing personal protective gear, the city doesn’t want to be an impediment when it comes to the parking tickets.

Concerns over food security for the most vulnerable in the city will be on the list. Fougere said the city has been in contact with the relevant organizations to see about supports.

“I can’t imagine someone who is on the street (and who) has this virus, and there is nowhere to turn. That is just unacceptable and we will do what we can to ensure that they’re very, very safe,” said Fougere.

Council will also discuss how it can provide relief to residents through things like commercial taxes, property taxes and utility bills. Fougere said the federal and provincial governments are doing what they can, and the city can do more.

Fougere said the councillors will talk about measures to keep transit going. He said the city is committed to keeping the service going at its current levels because it is an essential service for many.

“We’ll have a conversation about how we can continue to have transit as a service, and the best way to ensure that those who cannot travel another way have a way to get around our city when they have to go to the doctor, have to go to the grocery store (or) have to check on their parents and their loved ones,” said Fougere.

The city has put in place measures in buses to keep passengers away from each other and keep drivers safe. It’s still figuring out a contingency plan to use if too many drivers have to self-isolate.

Buses will also start getting upgraded cleaning, including a misting sanitizer to clean the whole of the bus interiors.

When asked how much the virus and the response to it is going to cost the city, Fougere said that’s not top of mind right now.

“What is important is helping those most in need, helping people to go about their lives as best they can, but also to protect them,” he said.

Fougere said council will look to city administration to figure out how to pay for everything.

Fougere said the councillors will be calling in to the 10 a.m. meeting as much as they can and administration will be in the city council room sparingly.

The city is encouraging people to not be in the gallery for the meeting. Fougere said if people want to view the proceedings, they can watch online at Regina.ca.

Fougere discusses provincial measures

The mayor commended the province on the public health measures it has put in place, but thinks it could go further.

He thinks the limit of 50 people in a gathering is even too many; he pointed to comments the provincial chief medical health officer made that five people in a room is probably enough.

Fougere also thinks that bars and restaurants should be closed now instead of later.

He said the city is going to discuss these concerns with provincial officials and ask them to reassess.