LAKELAND - A new year tradition will not play out across Alberta communities in 2021 due to the pressure of the COVID 19 pandemic on healthcare staff and facilities.
Alberta Health Services has announced it will not be sending announcements and information to media outlets on New Year's Babies born this year.
"While we understand that this is a traditional news event, it is simply not possible to invite media into our facilities at this time, or facilitate media interview," says AHS spokesperson James Wood. "In addition, our labour and delivery teams are extremely busy and priority must be given to patient care in these extraordinary times."
Submit your 2021 arrival
The New Year's baby and their family in many regional communities is often the recipients of local gifts and attention. For those wishing to continue the tradition without creating a burden on the health system, Lakeland This Week, LakelandToday.ca, and our newspaper offices in Lac La Biche, Bonnyville and St. Paul are inviting families of local New Year's babies to contact our offices.
If you have the first baby born of 2021 in the Lac La Biche region, let us know at [email protected] - or if you have a first baby born in 2021 in St. Paul or Bonnyville, contact jhuser@stpaul.greatwest.ca