A portion of Saskatoon City Council’s regular meeting was focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and what is being done locally in the city amid the virus outbreak.

Pamela Goulden-McLeod, the City’s Director of Emergency Management provided council with a brief update Monday afternoon.

She says residents are the first responders during the pandemic given they are the ones that can make the biggest difference by following the mandates put out by the chief medical health officer.

She adds it’s still important to get outside, although still keep distance between yourself and others.

“It’s still very important to get outside for walks, for runs, for bike rides, for walking you dog. All of those are good ways that we can keep ourselves mentally well while we’re going through this.”

Goulden-McLeod says if you’re in an area that’s too crowded, go to a different location given there are lots of walkways and streets throughout the city.

School zones will continue to be enforced while schools are closed indefinitely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Police Chief Troy Cooper also presented to council Monday saying that school zones aren’t a priority for traffic services at this time given that students and staff aren’t present at the schools.

With that said, Cooper noted that caregivers and children will still be using playground equipment and that drivers should proceed through school zones with caution.

He adds photo radar cameras in school zones have been moved to other parts of the City.

The speed limit in school zones is 30 kilometres an hour, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The City of Saskatoon has allowed residents to park on the street since Friday without having to pay.

Lynne Lacroix, General Manager for the City of Saskatoon says there were a couple of factors that lead to the decision.

“To eliminate the need for people who are not able to use the way to park app from having to use the flex public parking stations which we are not able to sort of keep clean or sanitize at this particular point. It ensures that people have the options to leave their vehicles in a location for en extended period of time in the event they have to self-isolate.”

She says once the City decides to once again start collecting revenue through parking, a comprehensive communication will be developed so the public is given adequate notice.