Calgary,
10
June
2021
|
16:27
America/Denver

City of Calgary update on collaborative COVID-19 enforcement measures

City of Calgary Community Peace Officers and the Calgary Police Service (CPS) continue to work together, along with Alberta Health Services (AHS), to ensure enforcement of all bylaws and public health orders.

Today is the beginning of Stage 2 of the Government of Alberta Open For Summer Plan. While this is an exciting step forward and marks the reopening of many businesses, a slightly increased capacity for outdoor gatherings and reintroduction of outdoor public events, The City of Calgary would like to remind Calgarians that public health orders are still in place and will continue to be enforced for the safety of all.

The Temporary COVID-19 Face Coverings Bylaw came into effect August 1, 2020. The Government of Alberta now requires those unable to wear a mask due to a medical condition to obtain and provide an exception letter from an authorized health professional.

While the bylaw currently remains in effect until the end of 2021, the provincial health order rules on masks will be enforced over the bylaw while in place. The bylaw was created to be nimble in response to the ongoing pandemic, and The City of Calgary has the opportunity to make amendments or repeal the bylaw at the direction of City Council.

Enforcement of the temporary bylaw has resulted in:

  •  519 violation tickets for failure to wear a face covering where required since August 1, 2020
    • Of those, 14 violation tickets have been issued since June 3, 2021.
  • One ticket has been issued for failure to display prescribed signage in an entryway of a public indoor space. This is the only ticket issued of this nature since August 18, 2020.

While compliance with the temporary bylaw remains high in public spaces and Calgary Transit vehicles, increased enforcement presence and repeat offences have resulted in the increase in tickets.

The total number of tickets issued under the Public Health Act (PHA) since the State of Local Emergency was declared is:

  • 216 violation tickets since November 24, 2020.
    • Of those, two of the violation tickets were issued since June 3, 2021.

Protests and demonstrationsTwo event organizers were issued tickets under the PHA for contravening the outdoor social gathering limits by initiating a rally held at Central Memorial Park over the weekend. As with other protest enforcement efforts, The City of Calgary’s priority is to ensure the safety of the public, attendees and our officers. Any planned rallies or demonstrations will continue to be enforced, in vehicles or otherwise.

InspectionsCity business licence inspectors, peace officers and partners from AHS, CPS, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis and Occupational Health and Safety have formed a Public Health Compliance (PHC) Team to monitor compliance, address concerns and support measures that help protect Calgarians. This team will continue to conduct proactive inspections and respond to concerns jointly, to ensure businesses are following public health orders.Any non-essential business found operating in contravention of the PHA could face multiple fines and the possibility of suspension or revocation of their business licence coupled with the charges.

The City of Calgary would like to thank citizens and businesses for their continued adherence to public health orders and for playing an important role in the health and safety of all Calgarians.Where violations are suspected, Calgarians or businesses can submit questions, concerns or report complaints to Alberta Health Services online or by calling 1-833-415-9179, or to The City by contacting 311 or the CPS non-emergency line at 403-266-1234.

More information is available on Calgary.ca/covid19.

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