The City of Calgary has declared a state of local emergency on Sunday, March 15, 2020 in support of Alberta’s efforts to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, while reporting 17 new cases of COVID-19, stated that there was evidence of community transmission in Alberta. Alberta has closed all daycares and cancelled all classes until further notice.
The City will be closing all city-owned and operated fitness facilities, pools and recreation centres effective immediately.
Calgary Public Library will also close.
Public transit, grocery stores, shopping centres, pharmacies, office buildings, shelters, and care centres will remain open.
All restaurants and bars are also ordered to keep their capacity to 50% of their fire load card occupancy, to a maximum of 250.
All City services are still functioning.
“Let me be clear: your water will keep running and your power will stay on. Transit will keep operating and if you have an emergency, you can still call 911 for help from fire, police and ambulance,” said Tom Sampson, Director of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency. “There is no need to panic or worry that you won’t receive essential City services.”
“While it can seem extreme to have places we know and love closed down, this is in line with the actions that other regions who have had success containing COVID-19. Strong measures now mean we get ahead of this before it becomes very problematic, like we have seen in other cities and countries,” Sampson said.
“Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, hospitals and other critical services will remain open. I need to be absolutely clear: there is no need to hoard supplies,” said Sampson.
What is closed until further notice:
- The Calgary Public Library
- All City of Calgary recreation facilities
- All City-owned, partner-operated facilities,
- Remington YMCA at Quarry Park
- Great Plains Recreation Facility
- Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge
- Brookfield YMCA at Seton
- Westside Recreation Centre
- Melcor YMCA at Crowfoot
- Shawnessy YMCA
- Saddletowne YMCA
- Cardel Rec South (includes South Fish Creek Rec Association)
- Vivo Centre for Healthier Generations
- Genesis Centre (includes NECCS)
- Trico Centre for Family Wellness
- Repsol Centre
“The decisions today were not taken lightly but they are important. I want to remind Calgarians that we need to look after one another. Clean hands, clear heads, open hearts,” said Mayor Nenshi.
What is Open & Closed in Calgary.