Town of Banff Declares State of Local Emergency

The Town of Banff has declared a State of Local Emergency to supplement measures enacted by the Province under the Public Health Emergency, to help stop the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Banff.

The move allows Banff to reallocate and focus our resources easier, be nimble in responding to rapidly changing circumstance, and powers to coordinate local organizations and assets. This declaration also aims to help visitors better understand about the high risk of transmission in the national park communities. For residents and businesses, the mechanism will provide the Town with authority to implement measures that mitigate situations where there is a higher risk of transmission.

Information on measures implemented and in development are available at banff.ca/news.

Stop the Spike

Stronger public health measures are now required to address the growing number of COVID-19 cases. Mandatory - Province wide - restrictions as follows:

Effective Wednesday, November 24:

No indoor social gatherings are permitted in any setting (private homes, public spaces or workplaces)
Indoor close contacts must be limited to people in the same household
Outdoor social gatherings are limited to 10 people, must not have an indoor component, attendees must be 2 metres apart at all times
Working from home should be considered,
where possible
Grades 7-12 move to at-home learning, Nov. 30 – Jan. 8, except during winter break (check your schools winter break schedule). Classes resume in-person on Jan. 11
Grades K-6 continue in-person learning to Dec. 18. Classes resume in-person Jan. 11

Effective Friday, November 27:

Maximum of 6 people from the same immediate household at a table when dinning out
All levels of sport are cancelled
Most retail businesses, movie theatres, museums and galleries, libraries may remain open with capacity limited to 25% of the occupancy set under the Alberta Fire Code
Indoor fitness, recreation, sports and physical activity centres remain open with capacity limited to 25% of the occupancy set under the Alberta Fire Code. These facilities can only be open for individual exercise and there can be no group fitness/training classes, team practice or games
Personal, wellness, professional services and hotels remain open by appointment only

For the most up-to-date information visit banff.ca/COVID.

Banff Mask Bylaw Revised

Banff Town Council revised the mandatory mask bylaw to remove bandanas and scarves from options for mandatory face coverings. Based on new science provided by top health officials in Canada and Alberta, the bylaw now requires people to wear a close-fitting mask to be worn over the nose and under the chin:

Inside all publicly accessible buildings and businesses, and
outside on sidewalks on Banff Avenue and Bear Street in the downtown core, and the adjoining Caribou Street and Wolf Street.

Businesses can download and print a new poster at banff.ca/COVIDmasks or request a printed poster by emailing communications@banff.ca.

Help Prevent the Spread

Keep a 2-metre/6-foot distance (about the length of a ski pole in your outstretched arm) from everyone not in your household, whether you are inside or outside
No indoor social gatherings are permitted in any setting (private homes, public spaces or workplaces). Indoor close contacts must be limited to people in the same household
Stay home if you feel sick - this is the law - you must stay home for 10 days and should arrange testing if you have a COVID symptom
Stay home for 14 days if you are notified that you have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID
Wear a mask in public places – and wear it properly over your nose and chin
Wash or sanitize your hands frequently (note some hand sanitizers are not rated to work when cold)

Be informed with updates at banff.ca/COVID. Sign up for emergency alerts at banff.ca/NotifyMe.

Meetings

Governance and Finance Committee: December 7 at 9 a.m.
Council: December 7 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.