No New Year’s events in Calgary as COVID-19 cases rise

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Mayor Naheed Nenshi announced there will be no public events for New Year’s Eve this year, including the fireworks.

Nenshi made the announcement during an update on the city’s COVID-19 situation Thursday afternoon.

“It’s tough. We’ve lost so much in this year, could we at least say goodbye to 2020 with some fireworks and see the back of it? Not quite yet. This was necessary. There are many ways you can mark the occasion by staying safe. Of course, we encourage you to stay home this year.”

You can still have small gatherings outdoors, such as using the public fire pits that are set up, which also have free firewood. Skating is still an option as well, such as at Olympic Plaza. Nenshi says they will have other options made public soon.

— Tom Ross (@Tommy_Slick) December 3, 2020

He added you can still have small gatherings outdoors and use the public fire pits that are set up, which also have free firewood.

Skating is still an option as well, such as at Olympic Plaza and Nenshi said they will have other options made public soon.

Nenshi spoke alongside the new chief of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency, Sue Henry, who took over from Tom Sampson who retired on Monday.

WATCH: No City of Calgary NYE, police promise more enforcement after weekend rally, crowded malls 

ENFORCEMENT UPDATE

Meanwhile, as the city looks to continue to try and curb the spread of COVID-19, authorities will be stepping up enforcement actions.

Six people will be charged for a large anti-mask rally that took place on Saturday, as police are currently focused on ticketing the organizers. Bylaw officials are also planning to issue two tickets relating to incidents outside City Hall in the past week.

Calgary Police Service Chief Constable Mark Neufeld said the time for education has passed, especially when dealing with people flagrantly violating public health orders.

“We’re at a place now where there’s no ability to be able to turn a blind eye. At the same time, I think we’re starting with the organizers and the people responsible for convening these rallies,” Neufeld said as he hoped this will act as a deterrent factor as well.

Neufeld said all Calgarians need to embrace their own personal responsibilities, and it may even get to the point that people attending the rallies also receive tickets as he agreed that they fit the bill of blatantly disregarding the public health restrictions.

“This is an opportunity for us to stand up collectively and make sure we are upping our game as far as this goes,” Neufeld added.

Other people have tried to get away with loopholes in the restrictions, and Neufeld agreed there have been some issues, but it should be expected with such fresh legislation.

“We’re talking with our partners at the Crown right now around prosecuting those and whether or not they’re drafted tightly enough. So, those are still ongoing discussions in terms of loopholes,” he said.

Chief Bylaw Officer Ryan Pleckaitis added in to the conversation that they are still working on ensuring more peace officers can have the ability to issue tickets, and those conversations are also ongoing with the Alberta Government.

Neufeld also responded to concerns at malls, especially Chinook Centre, which was packed with shoppers last weekend and had to be cleared out following a fight.

“That was sort of a perfect storm,” he said. “I don’t think the mall management teams were very well prepared either, so they reached out to the police, and we responded to help out. Our assessment is that’s unlikely to occur again in the future. I think we’re in a better place to deal with that.”

Speaking of shopping, Nenshi said people should also focus on visiting local businesses to get the last bit of holiday buying done. To facilitate this, rush hour parking restrictions will be lifted on popular streets such as 17 Ave. S.W. and 4 St. S.W. until after Christmas. This is in addition to 15 minutes of free on-street parking on those streets and other popular areas in business improvement zones to help out with delivery and curbside pickup.

Nenshi also had strong words for people who are flaunting the guidelines. He said it is unfortunate enough to see the cancellation of New Year’s Eve celebrations, and everyone needs to stand together in spirit — but physically distant — to ensure we do not lose more people before the end of the year.

He said that the city is not planning any more local restrictions, but they may be forced to take further action depending on how people act in the city. Nenshi expressed frustration at people making a big show of disobeying the orders and specifically took aim at people taking part in anti-mask protests or others who go into businesses without a mask to try and make a point.

“I don’t have time for selfishness,” he said. “I don’t have time to indulge people like this. Our job is to keep everyone safe.”