Calgary COVID-19 Updates

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Calgary COVID-19 Updates

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January 14, 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 click here.
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 now 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 January 14th, the following updates to restrictions have been provided:

As of Jan. 18, with masking and appropriate distancing:

  • Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people will be allowed, however indoor gatherings remain prohibited;
  • 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
  • Funerals will be permitted to host up to 20 people.

The following restrictions remain in effect:

  • All restaurants and bars may remain open for takeout and delivery only and must stay closed to in-person dining;
  • Retail, including malls, may remain open but at 15 percent of fire code capacity. Food courts may remain open for takeout only;
  • Fitness centres, pools and spas must remain closed;
  • Attractions, museums, libraries, amusement parks, camps and galleries must remain closed;
  • 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 and outdoor gatherings are limited to those in the same household;
  • Faith services remain limited to 15 per cent of capacity; and
  • Banquet halls, conference centres, concert venues and sport venues must remain closed.

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

As of 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.

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.

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.

  • 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..
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

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 

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/deals

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

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

Alberta has been selected for a federal government-approved pilot project that will relax quarantine requirements for international travellers entering Canada. On Thursday October 22, Premier Jason Kenney announced the province will be the first jurisdiction in the country to test a program that will use rapid COVID-19 testing at airports and border crossings to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus and reduce 14 day quarantine times.

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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