Released on May 25, 2020
"The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed May 24-30 as
Saskatchewan Tourism Week. The week coincides with Tourism Week in
Canada, which brings attention to the importance of a vibrant tourism sector
and the economic benefits generated through travel and tourism.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought tourism, worldwide, to an abrupt halt,
causing severe, long-term effects and an uncertain future. Saskatchewan’s
tourism sector has experienced serious setbacks and faces a lengthy road to
recovery.
The timing of Saskatchewan Tourism Week coincides with the gradual re-opening
of some of the province’s tourism businesses and resources, including parks and
campgrounds. The week is an opportunity to showcase stories of creativity
and resilience, acknowledge support among communities and broaden understanding
of the diverse nature and important contributions of Saskatchewan’s tourism
sector.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to proclaim
Saskatchewan Tourism Week and acknowledge the people and experiences that make
our province an inviting destination,” Minister Responsible for Tourism
Saskatchewan Gene Makowsky said. “As we move through the phases of
re-opening the province, I encourage residents to support local tourism
businesses while continuing safe social distancing.”
“Each year, Saskatchewan Tourism Week highlights why tourism matters and how
our industry contributes significantly to our province’s economy and quality of
life,” Tourism Saskatchewan CEO Mary Taylor-Ash said. “Tourism
Saskatchewan is eager to convey these important messages during this
challenging time for tourism. The week will continue to be an occasion
that unites our industry and brings attention to the innovative, hardworking
and resilient people who make tourism happen. It is an opportunity to
share their stories, and remind everyone of the incredible tourism experiences
available right here in Saskatchewan.”
Tourism Saskatchewan will take full advantage of digital marketing to share
tourism stories that highlight the creativity of the tourism industry as well
as community support during the COVID-19 pandemic. A series of videos
will be posted on Tourism Saskatchewan’s consumer and industry social media
channels, beginning on May 25.
Industry operators are invited to post videos and images of their own
operations/customers, using the hashtag #SKTourismWeek. The content will
shed light on how tourism operators are navigating current circumstances and
adjusting their services.
While Tourism Week may look very different this year, the team at Tourism HR
Canada wishes to thank each and every individual working tirelessly to adapt
to changing conditions and reopen as safely as possible. Canada's tourism
sector has shown innovation, strength, resiliency, and determination. This
Tourism Week, we celebrate and support all you are doing to keep safe and
secure--thank you!
Getting Tourism Back to Work:
10-Point Workforce Recovery Plan
The recovery of Canada’s tourism workforce requires rapid deployment of
resources and a comprehensive engagement strategy that involves all
stakeholders. Tourism HR Canada shares ten priority recommendations aimed at
helping the tourism sector rebound by ensuring it has a post-COVID-ready
workforce...
Navigate Reopening and Beyond: New Tourism Workforce
Recovery Toolkit
Tourism HR Canada is developing the COVID-19 Tourism Workforce Recovery
Toolkit to help the industry get up and running as quickly as possible and
build resiliency for the medium- to long-term. The toolkit will be a free
web-based program with presentations, downloadable worksheets, and tools to
help tourism operators with recovery and reopening efforts...
A Commitment to Learning: Enthusiastic Response to Free
Courses
Since making Emerit online courses available free of charge two months ago,
an overwhelming 7,000 modules have been launched as tourism professionals and
students take advantage of the offer to upskill while many businesses have
been closed. The courses remain free through to at least the end of
June.
Future Skills Centre and OTEC Announce Rapid Response
Project for Hard-Hit Hospitality Workers
The disruption to the global economy from COVID-19 is unprecedented and
rapidly evolving with its impact on the Canadian labour market likely to be
widespread, long-lasting, and unpredictable. The Future Skills Centre (FSC)
and OTEC have announced a rapid response project...
MTEC Launches FREE Clean It Right Training Program
The Manitoba Tourism Education Council (MTEC) has officially launched the new
Clean It Right online training program, which will be free for tourism,
hospitality and retail businesses until June 2021. Clean it Right is an
awareness and education program on enhanced cleaning for establishments, with
the short-term goal of regaining consumer confidence post
COVID-19...
Sectors
at Risk: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Canadian Tourism Industry
The tourism sector has been one of the hardest hit by
COVID-19. To date, it has accounted for 27% of all job losses in the country.
Employment in tourism fell by almost 900,000 jobs between February
and April.
Tourism HR Canada partnered with the Labour Market Information Council (LMIC)
to get a fuller picture of the impact of the pandemic on the tourism
workforce. LMIC has just published its latest LMI Insights Report, which
presents these findings to better understand the implications and
considerations for the sector.
Tourism HR Canada is a pan-Canadian organization with a
mandate aimed at building a world-leading tourism workforce. Tourism HR
Canada facilitates, coordinates, and enables human resource development
activities that support a globally competitive and sustainable industry and
foster the development of a dynamic and resilient workforce.
Tourism HR Canada is your source for current human resources issues and
solutions, and works with the industry to attract, train, and retain valuable
tourism professionals by giving them the tools and resources they need to
succeed in their careers and entrepreneurial endeavours.
Look for timely, relevant labour market intelligence, industry success
stories, news and event details, surveys, and articles on HR themes impacting
tourism’s current and future success.
Performance Matters—and in tourism, performance is powered by people.
• Tourism is big business in Saskatchewan. The sectorcontributes more than $2.37 billion in total
visitorexpenditures to the economy and
makes up1.3 per cent of total
provincial gross domestic product. That
is about $5M in the Town of Preeceville. More added with our RM.
• Tourism is an export industry, bringing new moneyto the local economy and generating economic
growththroughout the province.
Visitors from across Canadaand all
over the world spend nearly $600 million inSaskatchewan each year.
• There are more than 13.6 million visits annually to
andwithin the province.
• More than 63,800 Saskatchewan residents areemployed in the tourism sector, with nearly
one-thirdbeing youth between 15 and 24
years old. Three in fivejobs in the
tourism sector are full-time positions.That is about 75 jobs in the Town of Preeceville.
• The tourism sector comprises five industries:accommodation, food and beverage
services,recreation and entertainment,
transportation and travel services. The food
and beverage services industry is thelargest employer among tourism businesses,accounting for nearly half of tourism jobs.
• Tourism encourages entrepreneurship – 95 per centof tourism and tourism-related businesses
are small ormedium-sized companies
and many are independentlyowned and
operated.
• Tourism is the fourth fastest growing industry in theworld. Given Saskatchewan’s wealth of
tourismresources, including nearly
100,000 lakes andwaterways, over 120
national, provincial and regionalparks
and more, vast opportunities exist to grow thetourism sector.
WHY TOURISM MATTERS
Supports local businesses
Creates jobs
Stimulates economic growth
Preserves and celebrates our history
Tourism makes up over 10 per cent of total employment in the
province. Three in five people working in the tourism sector are in full-time
positions.
Tourism is an export industry, injecting $600 million in
export dollars annually to the local economy and stimulating growth throughout
the province.
With over 3,200 attractions, events and businesses,
Saskatchewan’s tourism industry showcases our history, culture and traditions
to the world.
TOURISM MATTERS
AND CANADA CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE
THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.
With tourism responsible for 1 in every 11 jobs in
Canada, and over 2% of its GDP, we need to ensure that the tourism and travel
sector is here to stay long after the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
"Check out these links, Tourism does matter in small town and rural Saskatchewan"
Events:
Preeceville & District Lions Club Chase the Ace - Minimum Jack-Pot is now at a $9,604. Chase the Ace has been postponed due to Coronavirus concerns and will resume once it is safe to do so!
Under normal
circumstances this would have been grad weekend in Sturgis. Sadly, the
celebrations have been put on hold. I
would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Sturgis 2020 Grad
Class. Your hard work and perseverance has not gone unnoticed.
Saskatchewan Residents Reminded To Take Precautions For
Hantavirus
Released on May 20, 2020
"The Government of Saskatchewan is urging residents to take
precautions and be mindful about the risk of hantavirus this spring in areas
where rodents might be present.
Exposure is most likely to occur when cleaning up enclosed buildings (such as
grain bins, sheds, barns, garages, trailers, cottages, and homes) or farm
equipment and vehicles after winter.
“Humans can be exposed to hantavirus when inhaling
contaminated air caused by the droppings, urine and saliva of infected
rodents,” Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab
said. “Hantavirus can cause illness in humans including a lung related
illness known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which can be fatal.”
Symptoms typically start within one to six weeks of exposure and include
tiredness, fever, muscle aches, cough, headaches, dizziness, nausea and
vomiting. Some people develop severe symptoms, including difficulty
breathing, that can be life threatening. Seek medical attention immediately
if you have a cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
To avoid exposure to hantavirus, be aware of mouse droppings and nesting
materials and take the following precautions when cleaning infested areas:
• Ventilate the building by opening doors and windows for at least 30 minutes
before cleaning;
Use
wet mopping methods and wear rubber or plastic gloves;
Wear
goggles and a well-fitting N-100, R-100 or P-100 (formerly HEPA) type
filter mask when cleaning areas contaminated by droppings in a confined
space;
Dampen
areas contaminated with rodent droppings with bleach disinfectant (one
part bleach to nine parts water), let sit for 10 minutes, and remove
droppings with a damp mop or cloth;
Avoid
using dry cleaning methods such as dusting, sweeping, vacuuming or
air-hosing;
Steam
clean, shampoo or spray upholstered furniture with a detergent,
disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water; and
Wash
clothes and bedding with detergent in hot water.
Also, take steps to reduce rodent infestations:
Block
openings that might allow rodents to enter a building;
Store
human and animal food, water and garbage in containers with tightly fitted
lids; and
Move
woodpiles or other potential hiding places for mice away from your home.
As of May 13, 2020, there have been 35 people with
hantavirus pulmonary syndrome reported in Saskatchewan since 1994, 11 of whom
died."
Hantavirus infection is a rare but serious illness. Typical
symptoms are flu-like and include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle
aches, diarrhea, abdominal pain and shortness of breath. These symptoms can
occur any time between three days to six weeks (usually around 14 days) after
exposure. Infection without symptoms is rare.
Exposure to hantavirus can cause a rare but often fatal
disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). HPS can progress rapidly
into serious complications which include the following symptoms: abnormal fall
in blood pressure, lungs filling with fluid and severe respiratory failure. As
of May 13, 2020, there have been 35 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
reported in Saskatchewan since 1994, 11 of which resulted in death.
Hantavirus illness can affect people of all ages and
regardless of gender. People are at risk if they come into contact with deer
mice, their droppings or nesting materials. Most people are exposed when
cleaning out or demolishing enclosed or poorly ventilated buildings that have had
mouse infestations (i.e. grain bins, sheds, barns, garages, ventilation
systems, trailers, elevators, etc.) or cleaning equipment such combines or
vehicles that have been in storage.
For more information
Contact HealthLine 811 or visit HealthLine
Online
1. About Deer Mice
In western North America, deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus)
are the primary carriers of the particular strain of hantavirus that causes
respiratory illness in people.
Deer mice are found throughout Saskatchewan in a variety of
indoor and outdoor habitats. They are more common in rural and semi-rural areas
than in urban areas. Deer mice construct nests in stumps, hollow tree cavities,
under logs, abandoned bird nests, wood piles, old cars or buildings
such as sheds, granaries, garages and cottages. They may enter buildings when
the weather turns colder.
Compared to house mice or field mice, deer mice have
relatively large eyes and ears, long tails and are bicoloured. The belly and
underside of their body is white, and the back and upper part of their tail is
dark brown or gray.
2. How Hantavirus is spread
Humans are most often exposed to the virus by breathing in
air particles contaminated by deer mouse saliva, urine or feces containing
infectious hantaviruses. This can occur, for example, after sweeping or
vacuuming infected areas.
The virus can also be transmitted by:
being
bitten by a deer mouse or other infected rodent, if the skin is broken;
touching
mucous membranes (e.g. eyes, mouth, nose) with contaminated hands or
gloves that have contacted rodent urine, saliva, or droppings;
eating
food contaminated by infected deer mouse saliva, urine or droppings.
Hantaviruses are rarely, if ever, spread from person to
person and this has never been reported in North America. Hantaviruses are not
spread from pets or livestock. However, cats and dogs may bring infected deer
mice into contact with humans.
3. Minimize the risk of getting Hantavirus
Exposure to hantavirus can be reduced by avoiding contact
with rodents and contaminated airborne particles.
Block
openings that might allow rodents to enter a building;
Store
human and animal food, water and garbage in containers with tightly fitted
lids;
Be
aware of animal droppings and nesting materials when cleaning a home or
other building.
When cleaning rodent-infested areas people are advised to reduce the risk of
contaminated air particles becoming airborne, and prevent direct contact and
inhalation.
Ventilate
the building by opening doors and windows for at least 30 minutes before
cleaning;
Use
wet mopping methods and wear gloves;
Wear
goggles and a filter mask when cleaning areas contaminated by droppings in
a confined space;
Dampen
areas contaminated with rodent droppings with bleach disinfectant and
remove droppings with a damp mop or cloth; and
Avoid
using dry cleaning methods such as dusting, sweeping, vacuuming or
air-hosing.
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Hantavirus
What is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a virus that is found in the urine, saliva, or
droppings of infected deer mice and some other wild rodents (cotton rats, rice
rats in the southeastern Unites States and the white-footed mouse and the
red-backed vole). It causes a rare but serious lung disease called Hantavirus
pulmonary syndrome (HPS). The virus does not remain active for long once
outside of its host -- less than 1 week outdoors and a few hours when exposed
to direct sunlight.
How common is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus was first identified in Canada in 1994. When
researchers reviewed other earlier cases, they were able to positively identify
that there were at least 3 other cases occurring before 1994, the first
happening in 1989. Since 1989, there have been 109 confirmed hantavirus cases
and 27 deaths in Canada according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (as of
January 2015).
"35 -11 for Sk 109 - 27 for Canada" 1/3 of the cases in Saskatchewan. 1/37 of population?
How can Hantavirus enter my body?
People can contract the Hantavirus infection through
inhalation of respirable droplets of saliva or urine, or through the dust of
feces from infected wild rodents, especially the deer mouse. Transmission can
also occur when contaminated material gets into broken skin, or possibly,
ingested in contaminated food or water. Person-to-person transmission in North
America has not been reported. A few situations of Hantavirus pulmonary
syndrome in South America suggests person-to-person transmission is possible. However,
the viruses isolated in South America are genetically distinct from those
described in North America.
How does Hantavirus affect my health?
The disease caused by Hantavirus is called Hantavirus
pulmonary syndrome. Symptoms appear within 1 to 5 weeks after exposure. The
average is 2 to 4 weeks. This disease is extremely serious since about 40% of
the people who get the disease die. The disease begins as a flu-like illness.
In the early stage, a worker may experience fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches,
nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat and gastrointestinal
problems. However, the disease progresses rapidly and infected people
experience an abnormal fall in blood pressure and their lungs will fill with
fluid. Severe respiratory failure, resulting in death, can occur within a few
days of the early stage symptoms.
What is the treatment for Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?
There is no specific vaccine, treatment or cure for
Hantavirus infection but early recognition and medical care in an intensive
care unit can help with recovery. Infected people may be given medication for
fever and pain and oxygen therapy.
What occupations are at risk?
Cases of Hantavirus infection contracted in Canada and the
United States have been associated with these activities:
Sweeping
out a barn and other ranch buildings.
Trapping
and studying mice.
Using
compressed air and dry sweeping to clean up wood waste in a sawmill.
Handling
grain contaminated with mouse droppings and urine.
Entering
a barn infested with mice.
Planting
or harvesting field crops.
Occupying
previously vacant dwellings.
Disturbing
rodent-infested areas while hiking or camping.
Living
in dwellings with a sizable indoor rodent population.
For workers that might be exposed to rodents as part of
their normal job duties, employers are required to comply with relevant
occupational health and safety regulations in their jurisdiction. Typically,
employers are required to develop and implement an exposure control plan to
eliminate or reduce the risk and hazard of Hantavirus in their workplace.
How can we prevent exposure to Hantavirus?
Attempt to reduce the presence of mice and limit contact
with their droppings, urine and saliva by:
Storing
food (including pet food), water and garbage in heavy plastic or metal
containers with tight fitting lids.
Sealing
any holes in structures where mice may enter.
Cutting
back thick brush and keep grass short. Keep woodpiles away from the
building.
Using
rubber or plastic gloves when cleaning up signs of rodents, handling dead
rodents, or other materials. When finished, clean gloves with soapy
water before taking them off. Wash hands with soapy water (again) after
removing the gloves.
Setting
traps when necessary. Put rodents in a plastic bag, seal the bag,
and dispose.
Since human infection occurs through inhalation of
contaminated material, clean-up procedures must be performed in a way that
limits the amount of airborne dust. Treat all mice and droppings as being
potentially infected. People involved in general clean-up activities where
there is not heavy accumulation of droppings should wear disposable protective
clothing and gloves (neoprene, nitrile or latex-free), rubber boots and a
disposable N95 respirator. For cleaning up rodent contaminated areas with heavy
accumulations of droppings it is necessary to use powered air-purifying (PARP)
or air-supplied respirators with P100 filters and eye or face protection to
avoid contact with any aerosols.
Dead mice, nests and droppings should be soaked thoroughly
with a 1:10 solution of sodium hypochlorite (household bleach). Bleach kills
the virus and reduces the chance of further transmission. The contaminated
material should be placed in a plastic bag and sealed for disposal. Disinfect
by wet-wiping all reusable respirator surfaces, gloves, rubber boots and
goggles with bleach solution. All disposable protective clothing, gloves and
respirators should be placed in plastic bags and sealed for disposal. Please
contact your local environmental authorities concerning approved disposal
methods.
Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water after removing the
gloves.
Where can I get more information?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Workers'
Compensation Board of British Columbia have guidelines that cover a variety of
workplace situations. For more details on risk assessment and precautions for
specific situations not clearly addressed by existing guidelines contact
specific agencies responsible for such detailed information, for example, your
local public health office. Hantavirus.
Public Health Agency of Canada Hantavirus. US
Centers for Disease Control A
Hantavirus Exposure Control Program for Employers and Workers. Worksafe BC
Preeceville & District Lions Club Chase the Ace - Minimum Jack-Pot is now at a $9,604. Chase the Ace has been postponed due to Coronavirus concerns and will resume once it is safe to do so!
Sturgis Grad: Under normal circumstances this would have been grad weekend in Sturgis. Sadly, the celebrations have been put on hold. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Sturgis 2020 Grad Class. Your hard work and perseverance has not gone unnoticed.
- And as always if you wish to have an event promoted visit and post it to our Community Events Calendar at www.townofPreeceville.ca
