MNL continues support to members through COVID-19 Alert Level 3

St. John’s, June 5, 2020 – Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) is working closely to support its members as the Province heads into Alert Level 3 with the launch of a new online space for key municipal alert level guidance.

As of Monday, June 8, more municipal facilities, such as outdoor pools, are permitted to open. Recreational activities, which usually occur on municipal facilities, can resume and summer day camps, which are often municipally led, are allowed. More businesses and workplaces will be reopening.

“As we move through the next phases of living with COVID-19, municipal leaders will be making decisions as to what is feasible, practical and needed in their communities, and what they able to do from both a staffing and financial capacity. We want to support them as they make those decisions,” said MNL President Sheila Fitzgerald.

After the World Health Organization called COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, municipal leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador acted quickly. By closing municipal offices and facilities to the public, they protected the health and safety of their staff, and their communities. They supported staff to work from home or safely outside. They secured needed personal protective equipment. Resident and commercial tax deferrals were, in many cases, offered.

“Municipal leaders across Newfoundland and Labrador have shown tremendous leadership. They continue to do so. As an organization here to represent them, we will continue to work together and with our partners to provide the best possible advice to a sector at the heart of reopening and recovery.”

MNL held 24 regional calls with almost 300 participants to date, hosted 13 free webinars to address member questions and needs, and provided information and advice on its dedicated COVID-19 website, including a series of frequently asked questions, public health information, and guidance on municipal operations.

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Click here to download the guidance document

About MNL

Municipalities Newfoundland & Labrador (MNL) was formed in 1951 as an umbrella organization mandated to represent and support local government in Newfoundland and Labrador. MNL represents the 275 incorporated municipalities in the province that service 89 per cent of the population and their more than 2,000 leaders.