Calgary,
22
September
2021
|
18:20
America/Denver

Council passes vaccine passport bylaw and announces vaccine outreach program

Vaccine Passport Bylaw

Council passed a bylaw in a special meeting on Wednesday with measures to protect residents in the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as cases overwhelm the health care system.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi says the Vaccine Passport Bylaw 65M2021 will clarify how the province’s vaccine card program – the Restrictions Exemption Program – works for businesses.

“This bylaw will create a level playing field for business in Calgary and provide clear guidance on how to apply the requirement for proof of vaccination or negative COVID test,” says Mayor Nenshi.

The bylaw, which will come into effect on Sept. 23, 2021, mandates that all businesses eligible for participation in the provincial Restrictions Exemption Program must follow or exceed the program requirements at all times. The provincial Restrictions Exemption Program and Vaccine Passport Bylaw apply to all recreation facilities, including those operated by The City.

Any person aged 12 years and older must show identification and either proof of vaccination, proof of a negative COVID-19 test result or a medical exemption from vaccine letter. Further information can be found at calgary.ca/covid19.

Vaccine outreach program

The City has launched a vaccine outreach program in partnership with Alberta Health, Industry for Vaccinations, ACESO Medical, TRAXX and 19 To Zero to reach Calgarians who face barriers to getting their shots.

“I am pleased to announce a vaccine outreach program for Calgary. The program will bring mobile COVID-19 vaccinations to Calgary, helping to remove barriers to vaccination by providing equitable and convenient access for Calgarians,” says Chief Sue Henry of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA).

Calgarians will be able to find these drop-in mobile vaccination locations on Calgary.ca. No appointments are needed. We will be updating the website as we confirm locations.

If Calgarians don’t see any mobile stations in their community, they can call 311 to request one. If there are other barriers to getting vaccinated, we’d like to hear from citizens about what these are. CEMA in partnership with agency members will be available to support any service request to address these barriers and help get more Calgarians vaccinated.

Once fully up running, the clinics will be operational every day of the week for up to 8 hours a day until Oct. 20.

“This program will provide equitable access and convenience of access throughout Calgary, thereby saving lives,” says Matthew Cox, TRAXX President & CEO. James Puckrin, Operations Manager for ACESO Medical added “Every person we can reach brings us a step closer to businesses fully reopening, schools feeling safer, and a return to our fully connected lives.”

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect your health, and the health of everyone around you. If you haven’t been fully vaccinated with two doses, now is the time. We are all protecting each other and every dose matters,” says Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Alberta.

The City of Calgary would like to remind citizens that we remain in a State of Local Emergency. The City, in collaboration with social agencies, the business community, civic partners and citizens is taking immediate action to respond to COVID-19.

The City of Calgary’s mandatory face covering bylaw is still in effect in indoor public spaces. Please continue to follow restrictions that remain in effect, which can be found at www.alberta.ca/covid19. The City acknowledges how difficult restrictions have been for individuals, families, businesses, and the mental and economic health of our city and we thank all Calgarians and businesses for their efforts to follow Provincial health orders.

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