Calgary COVID-19 Updates

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Calgary COVID-19 Updates

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September 15, 2020

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.
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. These measures include physical distancing measures, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and directional markers on floors for patrons. Please refer to the City of Calgary for more details on safety measures being taken by local businesses

Alberta city councilors made a major announcement on July 21 in the hopes of controlling the spread of the virus. 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 now be worn on all buses and trains, in taxis, Ubers, and at grocery stores, shops and malls. Places like schools, daycares, or multi-family buildings, as well as most bars or restaurants (while dining) was not included in the temporary bylaw. Calgary city council voted on Monday, September 14 to continue to keep the mandatory mask mandate in place until the next review in December.

Alberta announced that it will be entering a phased approach to reopening the economy, with the province entering into Phase 2 of the relaunch effective June 12, 2020. There is a significant amount of work happening behind the scenes to clarify the unknowns and to support businesses as they prepare to enter the second phase of reopening. The details we do have from the Province can be found in Alberta's full COVID-19 relaunch strategy. Please check back for further updates on Phase 3.
In Calgary, places like retail stores, clothing, furniture and books stores, farmer's markets, museums and art galleries and daycares reopened on May 14, with some restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes will reopening on May 25. Hair salons and barbershops have also reopened as of May 25 in Calgary. As of June 1, funeral homes, day camps & summer schools were able to reopen. Places of worship have also been allowed to open with appropriate controls in place.
 

What has Opened With Restrictions in Phase 2
Phase 2 will allow additional businesses and services to reopen and resume operations June 12 with 2 metre physical distancing requirements and other public health guidelines in place.

Business operators, sport and recreation services can determine if they are ready to open and ensure all guidance for workplaces is met.

  • K-12 schools, for requested diploma exams and summer school, following guidance
  • libraries
  • more surgeries
  • wellness services such as massage, acupuncture and reflexology
  • personal services (esthetics, cosmetics skin and body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, facial treatments, artificial tanning)
  • movie theatres and theatres
  • community halls
  • team sports
  • indoor recreation, fitness and sports, including gyms and arenas
  • pools for leisure swimming
  • VLTs in restaurants and bars
  • bingo halls and casinos (but not table games)
  • instrumental concerts
  • provincial campgrounds at full capacity

Events and Gatherings can be Larger in Phase 2

  • 50 people maximum: indoor social gatherings, including wedding and funeral receptions, and birthday parties
  • 100 people maximum: outdoor events and indoor seated/audience events, including wedding and funeral ceremonies
  • No cap on the number of people (with public health measures in place):
    • worship gatherings
    • restaurant, cafes, lounges and bars
    • casinos
    • bingo halls
  • More flexibility for ‘cohort’ groups – small groups of people whose members do not always keep 2 metres apart:
    • a household can increase its close interactions with other households to a maximum of 15 people
    • performers can have a cohort of up to 50 people (cast members or performers)
    • sports teams can play in region-only cohorts of up to 50 players (mini leagues)
    • people could be part of a sports/performing and household cohort.

Still not Approved in Phase 2

  • social gatherings that exceed above listed maximums
  • regular in-school classes for kindergarten to Grade 12. Classes will resume September 2020
  • major festivals and concerts, large conferences, trade shows and events (as these are non-seated social events and/or vocal concerts)
  • nightclubs
  • hookah lounges (permitted for food and drink only)
  • major sporting events and tournaments
  • non-essential travel outside the province is not recommended – this won't be lifted until Phase 3 of the relaunch strategy

The success of Phase 2 will determine when Alberta progresses to Phase 3. Factors are active cases, health-care system capacity, hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) cases, and infection rates.

Please see our list of restaurants, retail, attractions and things to do reopening around Calgary: https://www.visitcalgary.com/reopening

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

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Provincial and National Parks Information

Alberta Provincial Parks Update

Effective May 1, vehicle access to parking lots and staging areas in Alberta provincial parks and on public land is open. This means in addition to walking or biking in, you can also leave your vehicle in a designated parking space. The province opened the online campground reservation system on May 14, allowing for bookings at select campgrounds June 1. Campsites will be limited to Albertans only, for the time being. Starting June 1, some Parks Canada places will begin to offer limited access and services while maintaining physical distancing measures. Information will be updated regularly.

To help Canadians gain access to the health and wellness benefits that come from being outdoors and in nature, a number of Parks Canada places will be gradually restoring visitor access and services. As of June 1, 2020, visitors are welcomed back 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.

Park gates are open and payment is required for those who do not have a valid Discovery Pass. Visitors who had Discovery Pass which was valid in March, Parks Canada will automatically extend the expiry date by 4 months to cover the closure period. Parks Canada will not be offering reservable shuttles for the 2020 season including shuttles to Lake O’Hara, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. All shuttle reservations, including the Lake O’Hara application fee, will be refunded in full. 

To ensure the safety of visitors, residents and staff, Parks Canada is taking a phased approach to restoring access to the park. In doing so, physical distancing 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.

Businesses in Banff and Lake Louise are reopening every day, but some may function differently than they have in the past.

  • 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.
Parks Canada announced that camping will gradually resume at a number of national parks and historic sites across the country starting June 22 but will, initially, only be open to those with existing reservations.
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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Events Cancellations and Postponements

All public events have been cancelled until August 31, 2020 due to COVID-19. 

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.
 
Stage 1 allows some businesses and facilities to resume full operations as of May 25 with enhanced infection prevention and controls in place. 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 

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 that have reopened: https://www.visitcalgary.com/things-to-do/reopening-hotels

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.

As of March 25, Albertans are legally required under public health order to isolate for:

  • 14 days if they returned from travel outside Canada or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19
  • 10 days if they have any COVID-19 any symptoms which are not related to a pre-existing illness or health condition: cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat

All travellers returning from outside Canada are:

  • legally required to isolate for 14 days, and
  • monitor for symptoms: cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat
  • If you become sick during this time, you must isolate for at least 10 additional days from all other members of your household from the beginning of symptoms or until you are feeling well, whichever takes longer

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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