Masks Require

Banff Town Council has passed a bylaw making it mandatory for people to wear masks or face coverings:

• in enclosed public spaces in the Town of Banff, such as shops, cafés, restaurants, hotel common areas and other publicly accessible facilities, and
  
  
• in the outside space in Banff’s downtown pedestrian zone.

The temporary bylaw comes into effect at noon on Friday, July 31, 2020.

The bylaw follows the approach implemented in several other Alberta municipalities for interior spaces open to the public.  Banff also requires masks or face coverings to be worn in the downtown pedestrian zone, which was created by closing our main street to vehicles to give pedestrians more space to social distance. This exterior space was included due to its popularity and potential crowding. 

There are a range of exemptions, including:

• children under two years of age, or a child who is under five (chronologically or developmentally) who refuses to wear a mask and cannot be persuaded to do so by their caregiver
  
  
• people who cannot wear a mask for underlying medical reasons or disability which inhibits their ability to wear a face covering (proof of a medical condition is not required)
  
  
• people who needs to temporarily remove their mask, provided they are able to maintain a distance of at least 2 metres from anyone not members of the same household or cohort, for the purposes of consuming food or drink. Wear the mask when entering, leaving and moving around this establishment.

Wearing a mask or face-covering does not replace the need to maintain a 2 metre/6 feet distance from others, and practice regular hand washing and sanitizing. 

Council will review the bylaw and its effectiveness in every subsequent Council meeting this summer and fall, and may make adjustments, as needed.

Businesses and other publicly accessible enclosures are required to post a sign or poster in their entrances identifying the requirement to wear a mask or face covering. Businesses can download a poster/sign from banff.ca/COVIDmasks.

The bylaw, full exemptions and updated Frequently Asked Questions are available at banff.ca/COVIDmasks.

Farmers Market Safety

Safely visit the Farmers Market in Central Park every Wednesday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. by wearing a mask and keep a 2-metre physical distance from other patrons.  For more information, including reservation times and a list of vendors, visit thebanfffarmersmarket.com.

Avoid Traffic Delays

Tell your friends, family and customers coming to Banff this weekend to use the best exit into town to avoid traffic and delays. With several roads closed to vehicles, plan ahead to make your visit more fun. 

Use the Banff Avenue/Minnewanka exit if: 
• staying in a hotel or camping. 

Use the Norquay Road exit if: 
• visiting for the day. Park in the Train Station Public Parking Lot. It’s free and you can park there for 9 hours. It’s just an 8-minute walk to downtown Banff. 

• driving an RV, trailer or camper. There is no downtown parking available for those vehicles. Park at the Train Station Public Parking Lot. 

Remember: We’re diverting visitor traffic on weekends (Fri-Sun) to the Train Station Public Parking Lot from the Norquay Rd entrance to improve the visitor experience and to reduce congestion downtown. Residents can avoid the diversion by using the Banff Avenue entrance during peak periods when flaggers are working.

Meetings

Governance and Finance Committee: August 10 at 9 a.m.
Council: August 10 at 2 p.m.

Visit banff.ca/agendacenter or subscribe to 
meeting agendas at banff.ca/notify. View the live meeting at banff.ca/live.