'Every tool in our toolbox': State of local emergency back on in Calgary
Months after dropping COVID-19 case numbers lifted restrictions, as well as a local state of emergency, in the city of Calgary, officials say the current situation means the policy is back in force.
There's also a return of a bylaw that led to a multitude of protests.
The City of Calgary declared a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) on Friday afternoon in order to help "support efforts to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus."
The SOLE will allow city workers to access resources more efficiently and effectively, as well as paving the way to put local health orders in place.
Those will help Calgary navigate some of the challenges ahead, officials said.
"This SOLE helps us to take further actions to protect the most vulnerable in our community," the city wrote in a release.
"We are going to continue to use every tool in our toolbox and work extremely hard in the best interests of our citizens, communities and businesses."
A SOLE was last declared in November 2020 and lifted in June 2021. Prior to that, a SOLE was in effect from March 2020 to June 2020.
RETURN OF THE MASK BYLAW
A special council meeting also led to another change Friday night: the municipal mask mandate is back in effect.
That mandate was taken away in early July, but councillors believe the current situation calls for it to be reinstated. Starting on Saturday, masks will once again be required in indoor public spaces and on city transit.
The bylaw automatically expires on the last day of 2021, but it could also be rescinded before then if the city's per capita cases fall below 100 for 10 consecutive days.
The province also passed a similar mandate Friday, though councillors said enacting a municipal rule makes enforcement easier and will allow the city to decide if and when it's lifted.
In the meantime, the city encourages all Calgarians to practice proper health procedures such as wearing masks in crowded areas, maintaining physical distancing, practicing proper handwashing and acquiring two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.