Calgarians taking advantage of the various pick-up and delivery services available around the city during the COVID-19 pandemic will get a break when it comes to parking their vehicled to get their goods.
During a media availability on Wednesday afternoon, city officials announced new steps the city is taking in response to the pandemic, including changes to parking fees and pickup dates for waste and recycling in the city.
Calgary’s director of roads Troy McLeod, said due to increased demand for pick-up and delivery services, some parking zones in the city will see a free grace period starting April 9.
“Pick-up and delivery have increased in our city,” McLeod said.
“All park plus zones will have a 30-minute grace period to pick-up and deliver services as needed, as well as permit parking areas.”
Changes have also been made to the city’s garbage pick-up routine. Sharon Howland, with the city’s waste and recycling services, said these changes are due to staffing shortages and an increased volume of waste.
“We have seen impacts on waste and recycling during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Howland said.
“We’re trying to keep waste services as normal as possible, but as you can imagine waste and recycling services are facing staffing challenges.”
Howland said on a normal schedule, green cart collection would soon be switching to the summer schedule of weekly pick-ups. However, in the face of the pandemic, the city will be keeping green bins on the winter schedule, meaning bi-weekly pick-up for the foreseeable future.
“We do not have extra resources to make the switch.”
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Howland added that pick-ups of extra waste outside of bins has been temporarily suspended to help keep staff safe amid the pandemic.
“We realize this might add difficulty for some residents, but we need to explore safety protocols to collecting extra bags to resume that sort of service,” Howland said.
Howland also reminded residents that many charities across the city are currently not able to accept donation drop-offs. She’s encouraging residents to keep those donations in their homes until stores can re-open.
“Please do not leave items outside of bins right now,” she said.
“Charities will need these items once this crisis is over. We’re asking you to hang on to them a bit longer.”
Howland also noted that city landfills are still open and accepting credit and debit payments, should residents have excess waste.
On Wednesday Calgary transit also introduced a new program that will see some station buildings closed overnight to help limit the number of people gathering in the area.
Victoria Park, Erlton, Anderson, Heritage and Southland Station will now be closed from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The city’s Emergency Management Agency chief Tom Sampson also noted that Calgary’s state of local emergency, first declared on March 15, will be extended for another seven days.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi also took Wednesday’s availability as an opportunity to remind Calgarians of the importance of social distancing over the long weekend.
“I have to be clear about one thing… It is not a good idea to invite your family over for dinner this weekend,” Nenshi said.
“Even if everyone has been self-isolating, even if no one shows symptoms.”
Acting Deputy Chief with Calgary Police Service, Steven Barlow, also noted on Wednesday the importance of enforcing these distancing regulations, adding that police have responded to several COVID-19-related complaints over the last week.
“In the last week we have laid two charges that would be related to COVID-type complaints,”
Wednesday’s announcement is part of the city’s efforts to provide weekly pandemic updates to the public.
So far, the city has enacted several rules to help stop the spread of the virus, including closing all non-essential services, outdoor recreation facilities and implementing social-distancing regulations.
On April 1, the city announced changes to transit, including limiting seating and standing room to help riders keep safe distances.
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