‘It’s a very difficult message to send out’: Banff mayor requests people to stay away as weather warms up
Posted May 7, 2021 3:15 pm.
Last Updated May 7, 2021 7:14 pm.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) — As we dive deeper into spring, along with further restrictions being imposed, some Albertans may be looking to head west to enjoy themselves.
But, the mayor of Banff is putting forward a request to those who may be thinking of heading to the popular mountain town.
“We are just suggesting that it’s not the best time to be leaving your home and it’s not the best time to be in Banff, we still have a very high case count, we are a hotspot, and we just want to make sure that anyone who’s thinking about (coming to Banff), understands that,” mayor Karen Sorensen said.
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Sorensen says it’s not an easy request to make knowing just how positive trips can be for those looking to get out.
“Of course we exist to welcome visitors, and it’s a very difficult message to send out, but we’re very hopeful that within the next few weeks, ideally just after the May long weekend, we will see cases stop rising and we will be able to welcome people back to Banff,” she said.
Banff currently has an active case rate of 654 per 100,000 people.
There’s no extra enforcement planned to ensure people are staying away, but Sorensen hopes people will take the message to heart given the current situation.
