State of local emergency declared for Calgary
Posted Mar 15, 2020 8:58 pm.
Last Updated Mar 16, 2020 5:54 pm.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) — A state of local emergency has been issued for Calgary to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
An update from the City of Calgary: we have declared a State of Local Emergency (SOLE). Please see the attached documents for further information. Most importantly, stay home as much as possible so we can contain the spread of COVID-19. Our collective health depends on it. pic.twitter.com/As5EZGh0pO
— Jyoti Gondek (@JyotiGondek) March 16, 2020
Calgary Public Library branches, pools, arenas and recreation centres have been ordered closed.
All Calgary Public Library locations are temporarily closed until further notice as a precaution to help limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). More information and regular updates are available at https://t.co/Z8ljUEYm5m We thank you for your understanding. pic.twitter.com/6kwokQqcGD
— Calgary Public Library (@calgarylibrary) March 16, 2020
Transit will remain operational, along with all pharmacies, grocery stores, malls, shelters, care centers, casinos and YYC Calgary International Airport.
This order does not include offices. However, Mayor Naheed Nenshi is encouraging people to work from home if possible. The City is asking employers to move to teleworking where possible in an effort to support physical distancing.
All City of Calgary services are still functioning, and officials said, as of Sunday night, essential services are running well.
City services will continue. Calgarians still need power, water, transit, waste management, and other essential services.
We are working with our business community to try and take actions to ensure we limit their disruption.
— Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) March 16, 2020
Mayor, who recently returned from India, says he tested negative for COVID-19 but taking precautions.
— Jackie Perez CTV News (@JackiePerez__) March 16, 2020
Nenshi is also encouraging people to buy some supplies but not to stockpile because there are elderly and now children staying at home.
Earlier on Sunday, the province announced its plan to close all school and daycares in Alberta amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Students will be prohibited from going to school, while teachers will still be available.
Places of worship are also no longer exempt from the recommended restrictions on mass gatherings.
Public health officials continue to recommend that all mass gatherings of 250 people or more are cancelled, and this now includes worship gatherings.
As for licensed child care, out-of-school care programs and preschool programs, they will all be closed immediately. Approved day homes will be exempt from this ruling as they care for fewer than seven children at a time.
