Calgary,
17
December
2020
|
16:57
America/Denver

City of Calgary update on COVID-19 enforcement measures-December 17

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.

The Temporary COVID-19 Face Coverings Bylaw came into effect August 1, 2020. On Monday, December 11 Calgary City Council extended the temporary bylaw through December 2021 and increased penalties for failure to wear a face covering and repeat violations within a 12-month period.

Enforcement of the temporary bylaw has resulted in:

  • 40 violation tickets for failure to wear a face covering where required since August 1
    • Of those, 8 violation tickets have been issued since December 9
  • 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 1.

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

  • 25 violation tickets since November 25, 2020
    • 11 of those violation tickets were issued since December 9, 2020

Evidence connected to a religious gathering held on December 6, 2020 was reviewed and two tickets were issued to the church under the PHA, along with one ticket under the Temporary COVID-19 Face Coverings Bylaw for failure to display prescribed signage.

Over the last week three PHA tickets were issued to protesters. Two additional related tickets will be served, along with other bylaw-related infraction tickets stemming from events last weekend. The City of Calgary will continue to investigate and actively enforce at planned events and protests that create the greatest risk to the public in violation of the PHA.

City business licence inspectors and partners from Alberta Health Services, CPS, Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission and Occupational Health and Safety have formed a Public Health Compliance Team (PHCT) to monitor compliance, address concerns and support measures that help protect Calgarians.

The PHCT will conduct weekly inspections for the foreseeable future and 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.

Over the last week the team performed proactive business inspections and responded to concerns related to COVID-19. Four locations were found not adhering to public health orders. Three of the locations were issued warnings and one location was issued a violation ticket under the PHA.

Under updated public health orders, the capacity of retail and public indoor spaces reduced to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy on Sunday, December 13, 2020.

“The vast majority of businesses are adhering to the Public Health Act and we are grateful to the business community for doing their part to follow restrictions and enhance the safety of their patrons,” says Ryan Pleckaitis, Chief Bylaw Officer, Calgary Community Standards. “We have heard some concerns about overcrowding in larger retail facilities, such as shopping malls, and want to reassure Calgarians that we review all concerns in a timely manner, and will continue to respond to capacity issues heard via 311.”

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 at 403-266-1234 where violations are suspected.

More information is available on Calgary.ca/covid19.

-30-