May 28, 2020; Liverpool, NS: As the Nova Scotian economy begins to open up, Region of Queens Municipality is re-opening the Administration Building for public access starting on June 1, 2020.
“Our community, along with the rest of Nova Scotia, Canada and the world, has experienced challenges over the past two months. Region of Queens Municipality’s staff have continued to provide service to our community throughout the pandemic, using internet and telephone options. We are happy to be able to offer more services to our residents and the general public. Safety is at the forefront of our reopening, and we have implemented a wide assortment of protocols to observe social distancing, maximum gathering limits, and hygienic measures for the protection of the public and our staff, and will adjust our protocols as needed in response to evolving Public Health guidelines.”
Most municipal services continue to be available online, and residents are not required to conduct business in person at the Administration building; however, beginning June 1, 2020 at 8:30 a.m., public access to the municipal administration building will be available through access points at two doors only – the Finance Department entrance and the Planning & Development/Engineering & Works Departments’ entrance. There will be signage in place, and each of these entrances have parking nearby and will minimize the opportunity to block walkways.
Public members will continue to use the Finance Department entrance to pay taxes, water and sewer accounts, obtain vending permits, pay for building and planning permits, and obtain and pay for dog registrations. The second entrance at Planning & Development Service/Engineering & Works will be used to access supports and information related to building permit and development permit requests, bylaw enforcement, planning matters and municipal infrastructure information. The Recreation and Economic Development entrance will remain closed, but residents can visit one of the other entrances for these services.
Residents will be able to enter one at a time unless support is required from a family member or caregiver. Another individual will be permitted to enter however; they must immediately enter and sit in the chairs provided which will be a safe distance from the counter and the individual being served. If more individuals are present outside the door, they will be asked to remain outside until invited in and to physically distance.
In addition to the Administration Building reopening, a number of services that had temporarily been on hold will be available, effective June 1, 2020. Public market permits and vending permits will be available, with approved safety plans in place, and enforcement will resume for parking meters and timed parking lots.
“The new normal we are experiencing is different and will take some getting used to, but is necessary to help reduce the risk of spreading of COVID-19,” said Mayor Dagley. “Many in our business community will also be opening and expanding their services next week. We encourage residents to support our local businesses, as these have been challenging times for their businesses. They have adapted to the changes, as have our residents. I am proud that Queens County residents have continued to show their resilience and strength.”
Queens Place Emera Centre will remain closed at the present time and a plan for that facility will be forthcoming at a later date.
