No parking tickets, except for handicap stall and fire lanes, will be issued in Prince Albert's downtown until the COVID-19 crisis is over. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Free parking

Prince Albert stops issuing parking tickets in regular downtown stalls

Mar 19, 2020 | 5:57 PM

Amid social distancing recommendations and the economic uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, not a single customer entered Cody Demerais’ Central Avenue business on Wednesday.

A parking ticket, slid under the windshield wipers of his truck, was just one more hardship in what had become an abysmal day.

“I have bills to pay, it was kind of like the icing on the top,” Demerais told paNOW. “It almost made me break down in tears.”

On Thursday, Demerais took his case to city hall, and after a conversation with Mayor Greg Dionne, the city introduced a new measure to try to help struggling downtown business owners.

Following a quick vote by councillors via email on Thursday afternoon, Dionne announced there will be no parking tickets, except for in handicap stalls and fire lanes issued in the downtown. Dionne said the measure will stay in place until after the COVID-19 crisis is over.

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“It’s in response to us trying to help businesses that are suffering,” Dionne told paNOW. “[People] don’t have to put money in, no tickets to be written.”

As for Demerais, he emphasized he doesn’t want people to come shopping if they’re feeling unwell, and people should continue to practice distancing inside the store. He’s also taking extra precautions like sanitizing high-touch surfaces including the cash registers and door handles after each customer.

He said he’s not sure if the free parking will have a measurable impact on sales, but he welcomed the city’s move.

“My hopes are just if someone does want to go out and they’re not sick, and they have an extra five minutes, and they want to pop in a store, this just makes it a little bit easier for [them],” he explained.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom