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Calgary to see more enforcement officers in parks, extra waste pickup amid COVID-19 pandemic

Click to play video: '‘We’ve certainly thought about it’: Nenshi says city could still close parking lots if people don’t distance'
‘We’ve certainly thought about it’: Nenshi says city could still close parking lots if people don’t distance
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi says the city will close parking lots at city parks if people do not follow social distancing guidelines. – Apr 17, 2020
The city of Calgary announced on Friday that more enforcement officers will be seen throughout the city as warm spring temperatures may encourage residents to spend more time outdoors amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This weekend, to make sure that we’re doing some physical distancing, we’re going to have a park safety squad out,” Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) chief Tom Sampson, said in a media availability on Friday afternoon.
Sampson said the park squad will be made up of bylaw and police officers and will help ensure Calgarians understand physical distancing regulations.
“We’re looking at the egregious violators, that’s what we’re looking to deal with,” he said.
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“Our bylaw officers have not had to issue one ticket, but they’ve talked to many people. Sometimes just the physical presence of a bylaw or police officer can change or modify the behaviour of people.”
Click to play video: '‘Our goal is never to write people tickets’: Nenshi says city will have more of a presence at popular spots'
‘Our goal is never to write people tickets’: Nenshi says city will have more of a presence at popular spots

Mayor Naheed Nenshi added that additional enforcement will be also seen in off-leash dog parks in the coming days.

“We’re going to have bylaw officers at dog parks as the weather gets nicer, frankly to see if these off-leash dog parks should remain open,” he said.

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“You’re going to see more of a presence in places where people congregate.

Nenshi also suggested a new idea to residents utilizing sidewalks during the pandemic.

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“We have a new plan and a new idea for you which is that if you’re out on the sidewalk, then follow the flow of traffic,” he said.

Nenshi added the one-way idea will help keep people from running into oncoming pedestrians, creating a more efficient way to ensure physical distancing.

“This is sort of a silly, fun thing, it’s something for the kids to do — get some chalk out on the sidewalks and paint arrows, reminding people what direction to walk in.”

In her daily COVID-19 update to the province on Friday afternoon, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw also stressed the importance of physical distancing as the weather begins to warm up.

“We’ve had a very long and delayed winter, so I’m sure Albertans are very keen as the weather warms up over the next week or so, to get outside and to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine,” Hinshaw said.

“But I do want to remind Albertans that it is important to remain physically distant from others.”

She noted that finding outdoor activities for children that will limit the touching of any surfaces is important while spending time outdoors.

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“Thinking of activities like flying a kite, kicking a soccer ball and doing things that aren’t going to put kids at risk of being exposed,” she said.

The city also announced on Friday that additional garbage bag pickup is being re-introduced in the city.

On April 8, the city announced the collection of extra waste outside of bins had been temporarily suspended to help keep staff safe amid the pandemic. However, effective April 21, additional pick-up will be accessible as long as bags are secure, Sampson said.

“You are going to be able to leave out extra bags of waste if your cart is full,” he said.

“If you put bags out beside your bins, make sure they’re securely tied.”

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Officials also noted that since March 6, the city has received 11,120 COVID-19 related calls to the 311 system.

Sampson said that represents almost 15 per cent of all 311 calls received during that time period. He added that many of those calls are related to residents not following physical distancing protocols.

The city remains in a state of local emergency, that status was renewed on Wednesday for an additional seven days.

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