Strathcona County announced Thursday that it is laying off workers and that the reduction in staff is being prompted by ongoing closures and event cancellations as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. “Approximately 500 hourly staff members have been affected by the Alberta Health requirement to cancel large events or close buildings,” reads a news release on the county’s website. “Based on the reality of ongoing building closures and event cancellations, the interim chief commissioner made the unprecedented and difficult decision to lay off hourly staff members who are not working, effective April 27.” The county said it “anticipates the layoffs to be temporary in nature, until the buildings reopen and services return to normal.” Global News