Calgary COVID-19 Updates

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Calgary COVID-19 Updates

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April 7, 2021

It is a challenging time in the world as COVID-19 continues to impact our lives, our communities and travel world-wide. 
The situation around COVID-19 in Calgary is being effectively monitored, controlled and treated by the Public Health Agency of Canada and Alberta Health Services. These efforts are in collaboration with the World Health Organization and other international partners as new information around COVID-19 becomes available. For more traveller and visitor information related to COVID-19 please visit Destination Canada.
Our focus needs to be on taking care of our health and each other. We have compiled resources for up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 and how to take the necessary precautions, as well as how COVID-19 is impacting Calgary businesses and experiences. Businesses around Calgary have implemented extra precautionary measures to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 for all staff and patrons. As of August 1, it will be mandatory in Calgary to wear a mask in most public places. Under the temporary bylaw, face coverings must be worn on all buses and trains, in taxis, Ubers, and at grocery stores, shops and malls. These measures include physical distancing measures, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and directional markers on floors for patrons. For those that do wish to travel to Calgary we encourage you to take all of the necessary precautions and familiarize yourselves with the applicable COVID-19 safety measures and restrictions. Please refer to the City of Calgary for more details on safety measures being taken by local businesses.
As of Thursday, January 7, 2021, Transport Canada requires that all guests entering Canada from international destinations, five years of age and over, to present a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding.

As of Thursday, April 7, with masking and appropriate distancing:

  • Retail, including malls, may remain open but at 15 percent of fire code capacity. Food courts may remain open for takeout only
  • Fitness centres can accept only one-on-one training with a trainer
  • Banquet halls, conference centres and hotels may open for activities included in steps one and two, including hosting virtual meetings/conferences/events, permitted performance activities, wedding ceremonies up to 10 individuals, and funeral services up to a maximum of 20 individuals. Please note that wedding and funeral receptions and trade shows are still not permitted.
  • Effective Friday, April 9 at noon, all restaurants will and bars may remain open for takeout and delivery only and must close to in-person indoor dining, however, patios may remain open.

The following restrictions remain in effect:

  • Personal wellness services including hair salons, barbershops, manicure and pedicure services and tattoo and piercing services will be able to open by appointment only; and
  • Attractions, museums, libraries, amusement parks, camps and galleries must remain closed;
  • Pools, fitness centres and children's indoor and outdoor sports continue to remain open with limited capacity, masking, distancing and other measures
  • Hotels and accommodations will remain open to customers with reservations;
  • Casinos must remain closed;
  • Working from home continues to be required for all non-essential businesses;
  • Indoor gatherings are limited to those in the same household;
  • Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people will be allowed, however indoor gatherings remain prohibited;
  • Funeral and wedding services: Maximum 10 people with no receptions.
  • Faith services remain limited to 15 per cent of capacity

As of February 15, Non-essential travellers entering Canada through the land border will need to show a negative 72-hour PCR test to enter the country - similar to air travel. Border officers cannot legally deny entry to Canadians,  but those who show up without proof of a test could face fines of up to $3,000.

As of February 22, anyone arriving to Canada by land or air will be required to take a COVID-19 test at the airport/border. They will also be required to take a COVID-19 test after their 14 day quarantine period. Alberta has changed self-isolation rules for those infected with variants of COVID-19, and in some cases people may end up in quarantine for up to 24 days, says the province's top public health doctor.

We are committed to keeping this information up-to-date to help travellers make the best possible decisions. 

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Provincial Parks Information

Alberta Provincial Parks Update

At this time, Alberta Provincial Parks are open to the public to help Canadians gain access to the health and wellness benefits that come from being outdoors and in nature.

Park gates are open and payment is required for those who do not have a valid Discovery Pass. Parks Canada will not be offering reservable shuttles at this time, including shuttles to Lake O’Hara, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

To ensure the safety of visitors, residents and staff, physical distancing measures for the public remains a critical requirement in all areas of the park. While some of the restrictions and closures implemented in the park to date as a result of COVID-19 have been lifted, others will remain in effect at this time.

  • Outdoor social gatherings are limited to 10 people maximum and must not have an indoor component. Attendees should remain distanced at all times and follow all public health measures.
  • We are asking Albertans to limit their activities to their household where they can, or plan activities with their designated close contacts if they live alone, as those are the safest options. Physical distancing of 2 m must be in place between people from different households at all times during these activities, unless they are a person who lives alone and a close contact.
  • Call ahead or check the business' website to confirm they're open, and to what capacity they are operating.
  • Plan your outing knowing that businesses may be operating differently. Dining rooms may have less capacity as they implement physical distancing measures..
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National Parks Information

National Parks Update

At this time, National Parks are open to the public to help Canadians gain access to the health and wellness benefits that come from being outdoors and in nature. Visitors are welcome to Banff National Park with safety being a priority. Access will be focused on the resumption of autonomous day use of trails, grounds, and other outdoor settings and include the continuation of critical services and the gradual resumption of some key field-based ecological and cultural protection activities.

2021 Camping Season

Due to the risk of COVID-19, Alberta Parks has put a number of measures in place since last year to reduce spread. We expect these measures will support a smooth and safe opening to the 2021 camping season.

  • Shower facilities remain closed.
  • Group camping will remain closed as well, unless and until AHS group gathering restrictions are eased.
  • Shared sites with shared amenities like picnic tables and fire pits will have one half of the site closed – the same as last year.
  • If any cancellations are initiated by Alberta Parks due to COVID-19 restrictions, campers will be notified and receive a full refund – including the reservation fee.
Read more for information on business openings in the town of Banff. 
Contact Alberta Parks or Public Lands with any questions or comments related to Alberta Environment and Parks response to COVID-19
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Public Health Official Resources

Please refer to the following sources for the most current information around COVID-19:

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) - Response to COVID-19 and information for Calgarians
For questions about City services or to report COVID-19 concerns, call 311
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) - COVID-19 outbreak update
Phone: 1-833-784-4397 (Interpretation services are available in multiple languages)
Email: phac.covid19.aspc@canada.ca
Government of Canada - Travel advisories and advice
Government of Alberta/Alberta Health Services (AHS) - COVID-19 information for Albertans
Destination Canada - Updates on the COVID-19 situation
Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) - Coronavirus current situation
World Health Organization (WHO) - COVID-19 outbreak information
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) - COVID-19 Response: Putting people first
Destinations International - COVID-19 travel industry resource page
 
For questions about financial relief and government programs and services related to the COVID-19 response, call 310-4455 from 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday.
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Event Cancellations and Postponements

Please see our calendar of events happening in Calgary

Please check with individual organizers to confirm the status of events in Calgary and refer to the City of Calgary for up to date information regarding closures, restrictions, and cancellations.

The plan to move forward requires careful monitoring and respecting all guidelines outlined by the chief medical officer of health. Refer to the Government of Alberta for complete information regarding restrictions on businesses, and Alberta’s phased relaunch strategy for further updates.

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Hotels and Airline 

The COVID-19 travel restrictions in place at the Canada-U.S. land border will remain in effect until March 21, 2021 at least. The current agreement on the U.S.-Canada border closure to non-essential travel was first imposed in March 2020 and has been renewed every month since.

As of Sunday, January 31 Canada’s main airlines has suspended service to all Caribbean destinations and Mexico until Friday, April 30. All returning Canadian travellers will have to take a COVID-19 test at the airport when they land and quarantine in a designated hotel for three days at their own expense while they await results. Those with negative test results will be able to then quarantine for the remainder of the mandatory two weeks at home, while those with positive tests will be required to quarantine in designated government facilities.

For hotel and airline inquires please contact the original booking source, or if you booked directly with the provider please visit the links below for updates and cancellation policies. 

Accommodations

Please see the list of local Calgary hotels & accommodations

Airlines

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Visitor Resources

Learn what to do if you recently returned to Alberta from outside Canada and refer to the Government of Alberta for updated travel advice.

If you are planning to visit Calgary, please see our guide on tips on How to Visit Calgary Safely During COVID-19

Currently, Alberta has no inter-provincial domestic travel restrictions. However, as per Phase Two of Alberta's Relaunch Strategy, non essential travel is not advised. Please click here for more information.

Call Health Link 811 at the first signs of symptoms before going to a health care facility, unless severely ill.

Visit Alberta Health Services for more information on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

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