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An outdoor activity that can continue is gardening and the city is promoting local food sourcing by adding more community gardens for those without space on their land. With already more than 80 community gardens, Laughlin said there will be additional plots added on city-owned land and private property leased by the city.

“Food production is an essential service,” he said. “Community gardens are an important mental health outlet and source of community pride.”

Physical distancing orders will remain in effect and guidelines for safe usage practices during the pandemic are being distributed to the gardens across the city.

The city is also working to find a solution for transportation for more than 200 essential workers who are unable to get home as a result of late-night transit service reductions implemented Monday.

Laughlin said a plan is in the works with Alberta Health Services to operate an on-demand shuttle service from the city’s five main hospitals using the smaller DATS buses.

This solution, which Laughlin said is expected to be finalized “within the next few days,” will help get affected health-care workers home from their night shifts. But there is currently no alternative in place for those working in continuing care facilities, group homes or grocery stores.

The city cut service by three hours on the LRT and late-night bus routes in order to curb security concerns involving non-destination riders. Since last week, the city has seen a 70 per cent reduction in non-essential trips, Laughlin said.