The City wishes Calgarians a safe and healthy holiday season
CALGARY - As we head into the second December holiday season of the COVID-19 pandemic, The City of Calgary wants Calgarians to celebrate with health and safety in mind.
“The greatest gift we can give each other this season is the reassurance that we will remain vigilant for our collective health and safety,” said Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “We can emerge from the pandemic successfully if we all do our part to follow public health guidelines.”
The City’s top priority remains protecting the health and safety of everyone while maintaining essential services. The Municipal Emergency Plan remains activated to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, with The City committed to providing citizens with the information, resources and supports they need. The Vaccine Passport Bylaw 65M2021 and Pandemic Face Covering Bylaw 63M2021 also remain in place.
The Government of Alberta will provide free rapid test kits to Albertans at select pharmacies and Alberta Health Services sites starting December 17 and offer booster shots to everyone aged 50 and over. The City urges Calgarians to take advantage of these programs.
“We encourage everyone to get vaccinated and get the booster shots if eligible, wear a mask in indoor public spaces, and follow the provincial public health orders and municipal bylaws to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Acting Chief Coby Duerr of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA). “We are still in the midst of the pandemic with the highly transmissible Omicron variant on the rise and must do everything we can to have a safe and healthy holiday season.”
Vaccine Passport Bylaw
The City of Calgary Vaccine Passport Bylaw 65M2021 requires many businesses and organizations to require proof of vaccination, recent negative COVID-19 test, or valid medical exemption letter to gain entry. Please be kind to all staff and business owners as they help ensure our safety.
Pandemic Face Covering Bylaw
For the safety and protection of our community and businesses, the Pandemic Face Covering Bylaw 65M2021 requires people to wear a face covering or mask in indoor public spaces and public vehicles.
Failure to wear a face covering where required can result in a penalty of $500 and failure to display prescribed signage can result in a penalty of $200.
Get vaccinated
Vaccines are now available for children aged 5-11 and booster shots for those 50 and older. The City encourages everyone who is eligible to get their shots.
The City has partnered with Industry for Vaccinations and the Alberta Government to bring mobile COVID vaccinations to communities in Calgary. These mobile vaccination stations continue until the end of December helping remove barriers to vaccination by providing equitable and convenient access to vaccines. No appointment is necessary. You must bring one piece of identification that proves your age.
Visit calgary.ca/covid to see the schedule for a day, time and location that works best for you. If you have a barrier to vaccination, please call 311 and they can find resources to help you.
Our mobile vaccination program is for adults only as we do not have the child appropriate dose. To book an appointment for your child aged 5-11 please call 811 or visit Alberta Health Services.
Support local
December is an important month for business owners – for many, it’s the busiest time of the year. The pandemic on top of global supply issues have been hard on local businesses, shops, and restaurants. That makes it timely for Calgarians to seek out locally available products and services. Visit Calgary.ca/SupportLocal.
Go virtual
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the holidays while staying safe and helping slow the spread of COVID-19. Schedule a video call with loved ones to open presents together, have a toast, or virtually share a dinner.
Get active
Lace up your skates at one of the outdoor rinks, slide down a toboggan hill, glide on a cross country ski trail, go snowshoeing or take a winter walk through the parks and pathways. Visit Calgary.ca/LoveWinter for outdoor winter activities. City Recreation facilities also have plenty of programs and activities available and follow all public health protocols to keep participants safe.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve safely
This New Year’s Eve, welcome in 2022 with fireworks. Everyone is invited to celebrate by watching the live midnight fireworks show atop the Calgary Tower, or watching via livestream at Calgary.ca/NYE, with a synchronized music soundtrack broadcast by CJSW 90.9 FM. The livestream will feature a blessing from a local Indigenous Elder as well as a countdown to midnight with Mayor Gondek. Check out VisitCalgary.com to learn about other seasonal events and activities.
Mental and social support during the holidays
There are resources and supports available for Calgarians who are struggling. If you or someone you know needs emotional, mental, or social support over the holidays, please call 211 or text INFO to 211.
Enforcement
Community Peace Officers and the Calgary Police Service continue to work together, along with Alberta Health Services, to ensure Calgarians safety through the enforcement of all bylaws and public health orders.
For more information on The City’s COVID-19 response, visit calgary.ca/covid or call 311. Visit alberta.ca/covid19 for information on provincial public health measures.
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