Surveys under the Dutch Elm Disease Management Program and Invasive Species Monitoring Program will be starting soon. Like last year, due to COVID-19, the province will be modifying some of their standard survey practices to accommodate physical distancing and health and safety measures.
Many residents are used to seeing our Dutch elm disease surveyors driving or walking around both public and private properties while they conduct their work. The surveyors wear high visibility vests and government-issued I.D., but staff may also wear other protective equipment, including masks. In support of physical distancing measures, staff may not approach every resident or house before entering onto properties to conduct inspections. Surveyors will still ring doorbells or knock on doors prior to taking branch samples, marking trees or identifying firewood piles for removal. Staff will always maintain at least two metres distance between themselves and others, and we ask that residents respect this policy when approaching staff as well.
For more information about this program visit https://gov.mb.ca/forest/pubs/forest_lands/health/dutch-elm-disease-mgmt-2020.pdf
