Temporary COVID-19 Face Coverings Bylaw remains in effect through December 2021 with increased penalties
Calgary City Council has extended the Temporary COVID-19 Face Coverings Bylaw (26M2020) through December 2021 and increased penalties for offences. The higher penalties and new escalating fines for repeat violations are effective immediately.
The bylaw requires a face covering in all public indoors spaces and in public vehicles, and prescribed bylaw signage to be displayed in doorways of indoor public spaces and public vehicles.
The penalty for failure to wear a face covering where required changes from $50 to $100 and subsequent offences within a 12-month period will result in higher penalties. The penalty for failure to display prescribed signage remains $200, but increases for repeat offences within the same year. A contravention of the same bylaw provision twice within a year results in a doubled penalty and increases again for third and subsequent offences.
Temporary COVID-19 Face Coverings Bylaw penalty scale (12 month period) | |||
Offense | Failure to wear a face covering where required | ||
Frequency | First | Second | Third |
Penalty | $100 | $200 | $300 |
Offense | Failure to display prescribed signage | ||
Frequency | First | Second | Third |
Penalty | $200 | $400 | $600 |
“An escalating penalty for repeat violations further strengthens enforcement efforts for those who are wilfully non-compliant with this bylaw,” said Kay Choi, Manager, Strategic Services, Calgary Community Standards.
On November 24, the Government of Alberta announced mandatory mask requirements in indoor workplaces and facilities outside the home for Calgary and surrounding areas and extended the mandate province-wide on December 8. Evidence from public health agencies continues to support the use of face coverings as one of a number of measures to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
“The provincial health order does not eliminate the need for a municipal bylaw, as this enables local enforcement agencies to use discretion and sound judgement when determining the best course of action, be it issuing a ticket under the bylaw or Public Health Act,” said Choi. “It allows for a faster response and real time adjustments to local issues, such as first offence incident for someone not wearing a face covering versus willful and frequent non-compliance.”
Through 2021, Administration will continue to give verbal quarterly reports to Council on the best approach to address potential amendments or the repeal of the bylaw.
More information on the Temporary COVID-19 Face Coverings Bylaw is available at Calgary.ca/covid19.
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