‘We Can’t Wait Longer’: Edmonton, Calgary Consider More COVID-19 Limitations

City councils in Edmonton and Calgary will bring new measures to slow the spread of coronavirus next week to the Alberta government independently.

Sunday West Block with Mercedes StephensonIf the number of Kovid-19 cases is not reduced by December 15, the government will look for more sanctions, said Health Minister Tyler Sandro.

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said on Monday, “We can’t wait any longer.

“I appreciate the Minister of Health trying to make a data – based approach – and I believe in evidence – based decision making – but you have to make a decision at some point.

“You don’t have diagnostic paralysis.”

Edmonton Mayor Dan Evson said Monday that the city will continue to press the regional government for strong public health orders, while at the same time considering further action, “details of which will be explored at a special council meeting I called. Tomorrow. ”

Evson and Nenshi said they would look into anything to indicate that the province is ready to implement more drastic measures.

Nenshi said the Calgary City Council will meet next week if there are no sanctions from the Alberta Legislature.

Nenshi continued his stance not to start jurisdiction with the province, but said the health of his citizens could ultimately be a priority.

0:46Alberta’s top physician does not believe the current COVID-19 limits are sufficient to bend the curve downwards

“My first duty as mayor is to protect the health of the people of Calgary, who have put their trust in me,” Nenshi said.

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“Whether I have the black-line jurisdiction to do so – and the city has to operate without the province – I believe it will not come.”

Calgary’s city council could draft a new bylaw under the Municipal Government Act, Nenshi said, just like the bylaw covering the city’s face.

“If it is needed, I am very happy to bring it before the council,” Nenshi said.

1:44The city of Calgary does not hold New Year’s celebrations during the COVID-19 pandemic

“We have broad powers to legislate where there is a need to protect the health and welfare of citizens,” the mayor of Calgary said.

“We rarely use those powers because health is a regional responsibility. But again, if I have to, I will.”

On Monday afternoon, Health Chief Medical Officer Dr Dina Hinsha said additional sanctions were needed to bend the curve, and that her team was working on a “package of recommendations for negotiations”.

“As you know, the Cabinet will make the final decisions on what kind of sanctions will be imposed and at what time … they will be introduced,” Hinsha said.

“We are concerned about these numbers and will put forward those recommendations.”

3:18Alberta may receive early COVID-19 vaccine as province confirms additional 1,735 cases

But Hinsha said the initial effects of the public health orders in late November were clear.

“I believe all these restrictions will put us in a better position if we do not introduce those restrictions,” said the province’s top physician.

“However, it is unlikely that the measures taken two weeks ago will be sufficient to bend the curve.”

The mayor of Edmonton called the lockdown a “last resort”.

2:08Dr. Alberta shared heartbreaking details about working in the COVID-19 ward

“My position is that I think strong action is needed and there is some equity for businesses that choose to shut down, especially against those who are not in the hospitality sector,” Evson said.

“Frankly, most businesses are asking us to close so they can increase their access to federal assistance, which is only available to businesses that are closed for in-room meals.”

Adam Laughlin, Edmonton’s interim city manager, said there was no specificity on exactly what would be placed in the provincial capital, but that it would be “in the vein” of unnecessary activity.

The City Council of Calgary is looking to increase fines “explicitly” for people who break the mask bylaw.

Currently, there are fines of $ 1,000 and victim 200 fees for violating the public health order. Calgary’s Mask Baila fine is currently at $ 50. By the end of November, Calgary police had issued about 40 tickets for the public health order.

4:05Epidemiologist believes Alberta should find ‘sweet spot’ within COVID-19 limits

The best context for new public health measures is coming from the regional government and covering the whole of Alberta.

“COVID-19 is not a virus that is blocked by municipal boundaries and the best way to deal with that outbreak is still through a regional outreach policy, implemented by the regional government using their powerful tools, which ensures that we do not play the inter-municipal walk-a-mole with this deadly virus.”

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