Citing the rising numbers of coronavirus cases, the city of Calgary says it will make masks mandatory in all indoor public spaces starting Aug. 1.
Citing the rising numbers of coronavirus cases, the City of Calgary says it will make masks mandatory in all indoor public spaces starting Aug. 1.
Officials say they hope the mask bylaw will limit the spread of the coronavirus and prevent another lockdown.
“We need to take bold action now if we want schools to reopen, if we want kids to feel safe, if we don’t want to close the economy again,” Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said Tuesday. “This is critical.”
Experts have expressed concern about Alberta’s rising COVID-19 cases, half of which are in Calgary. The province reported 509 new cases in the last four days, bringing the active case total to 1,193.
“I believe we’re in wave two,” said Tom Sampson, chief of Calgary Emergency Management Agency, adding the situation is worsening and that hopefully taking fast action will prevent another lockdown.
Public health shouldn’t be a partisan political issue— Coun. Jeff Davison
He said provincial health officials have supported the idea of a mask bylaw.
Similar rules have been put in place across Quebec municipalities, in Toronto and Ottawa.
Council voted 12-3 in favour of the new bylaw on Tuesday, with councillors Sean Chu, Jeromy Farkas and Joe Magliocca voting against.
The bylaw, which will require people to wear a face covering over their mouth, nose and chin, would apply to all indoor public spaces in the city, like malls and grocery stores, and on Calgary Transit, in taxis and Ubers.
It does not include schools, daycares and multi-family residential buildings.
Businesses will be asked to post signs notifying people of the rule, but will not be expected to deny service to those who don’t wear masks, as there are exemptions.
The bylaw will not apply to children under age 2, people with underlying medical conditions that inhibit their