Calgary,
10
December
2020
|
15:52
America/Denver

City of Calgary update on COVID-19 enforcement measures

City of Calgary Community Peace Officers and the Calgary Police Service (CPS) will continue to work together, along with Alberta Health Services (AHS), to ensure enforcement of all bylaws and public health orders, including those that go into effect December 13.

The Temporary COVID-19 Face Coverings Bylaw came into effect August 1, 2020. Initial efforts were focused on education, CPS and bylaw are now focused on enforcement efforts to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Enforcement of the bylaw to date has resulted in:

  • 21 violation tickets for failure to wear a face covering where required
  • No tickets issued for failure to display prescribed signage in entryways of public indoor spaces

Since the Province of Alberta updated public health orders on December 2, 2020, six of the noted violation tickets for failure to wear a face covering where required were issued, including those resulting from organized gatherings or protests that continue to be investigated.

Total tickets issued by CPS and Calgary Community Standards under the Public Health Act include:

  • 11 violations tickets since November 24, 2020
  • Seven violation tickets since December 7, 2020

On Tuesday, two tickets were issued under the Public Health Act for gatherings or protests held on the weekend and the events remain under investigation. Three additional tickets have been issued to event organizers in Calgary this week, including violations of the Parks and Pathways Bylaw (for holding an event without permit) and the Park Protection Bylaw (for attaching signs to trees).

A religious assembly that took place in a location that did not have an approved development or building permit has resulted in three tickets, with specified fines of $3000 each under the Land Use Bylaw, after an investigation with Calgary Building Services.

Evidence from Alberta Health Services on a separate religious gathering held last weekend continues to be reviewed.

Ryan Pleckaitis, Chief Bylaw Officer, Calgary Community Standards said, “We will continue to focus on enforcement where people are clearly disregarding compliance. The actions we take today and over the coming weeks will bear significant impact on the safety of us all – while we have done a great deal of education, The Province has made it clear that there must be a consequence to putting other people at risk.”

The Province provided enforcement authority to more City Community Peace Officers earlier this week to help enforce public health orders and bylaws intended to protect the health and safety of citizens and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

City business licence inspectors are working with partners (Alberta Health Services, CPS, Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission and Occupational Health and Safety) on the Public Health Compliance Team to identify infractions in businesses this weekend. Under updated public health orders, the capacity of retail and public indoor spaces will be reduced to 15 per cent on Sunday, December 13, 2020.

Concerns shared through 311 will be reviewed collaboratively and investigated while the enforcement of the additional orders comes into effect on Sunday, December 13.

An update on the Temporary COVID-19 Face Coverings Bylaw will be provided to City Council Monday, December 14.

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.

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