More restaurant-goers expected to travel outside Calgary
Posted May 14, 2020 11:50 am.
Last Updated May 14, 2020 11:51 am.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Calgary hair salons, bars, and restaurants are closed, but surrounding communities like Airdrie, Okotoks and Chestermere are opening those businesses.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi told Breakfast Television on City TV that many Calgarians will be tempted to head to these places but has a warning for those wanting to do so.
“There’s not a lot of restaurants and hair salons in those adjoining areas and remember that those restaurants are at 50 per cent capacity and remember that non-essential travel is still not recommended. Be kind to the people in the communities around us.”
Nenshi said he feels for the restaurants that were caught off guard by Wednesday’s announcement to postpone opening restaurants and hair salons in Calgary until May 25.
I know yesterday’s announcement from the province to delay the opening of restaurants and hair stylists in Calgary until May 25 was surprising. I certainly understand and respect the evidence-based decision from the province, although I wish it came sooner.
— Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) May 14, 2020
He said if you have the means to do so you should order takeout from a local restaurant this long weekend.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Airdrie, Peter Brown, said he’s not worried his city will be overrun by Calgarians looking to access services.
Brown said throughout the pandemic people have been coming and going between the two communities and businesses are prepared.
“We’d welcome Calgarians and anyone else who wants to shop in the community. I just ask that they respect the rules that are put in place and everything should work out well. I’m very hopeful that everything is in place to protect the stores, their employees and, of course, the public.”
He added there are some active cases of COVID-19 in Airdrie but currently no outbreaks and he hopes to keep it that way.
Some restaurants and bars in Alberta are allowed to open Thursday as part of Phase one of the province’s relaunch strategy.
However, those businesses in Calgary and Brooks are asked to hold off until May 25 due to a high number of coronavirus cases.
