Prince Edward County Council has approved emergency plans as presented to them regarding the upcoming total solar eclipse in April.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, council received a report from Fire Chief Chad Brown on behalf of the Municipal Emergency Management Committee, detailing the plans being put in place for the upcoming eclipse.
While the municipality isn’t hosting any events of its own, the plan accounts for private venues hosting events and a general uptick in tourism on that day as people arrive to view the rare event.
Considerations in the plan include temporary road signs for traffic management, including the rental of additional signs and multiple portable washrooms to help with crowding at public areas where people are expected to gather.
The Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board and the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board have also both declared the day of the eclipse a PA day, to avoid having school buses and students travelling during the peak eclipse when it would be more dangerous.
The municipality is purchasing and providing safety glasses for employees working on the day of the eclipse in order to protect their eyes during the event.
Councillor Phil St-Jean was supportive of the part of the emergency plan that included public service announcements to remind residents to use eye protection during the eclipse.
“It’s always a good thing that the municipality puts out public service announcements and encourages people to do things safely,” said Councillor St-Jean. “In this case with the eclipse, there’s a an opportunity if not done properly, to damage your eyes.”
The eclipse will begin on April 8 at 2:08 p.m. and last until 4:33 p.m. The total eclipse will be visible at 3:21.