Calgary bans public events to August 31

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi announced on Friday that all public events in the city will be banned until August 31 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to CTV News.

The ban on public events was already in place, however it has since been extended to August 31 which means the Calgary Stampede and Canada Day celebrations will fall under the new timeline and those gatherings will be cancelled.

Bylaw officers will be on patrol throughout the city's parks and public gathering areas to issue tickets to people not meeting the proper physical distancing measures. These require people to remain at least two metres away from one another at all times.

Provincial health orders dictate that no more than a maximum of 15 people can be grouped together at one time. The fine for not following these protocols starts at $1,200 and can be raised to $100,000 in court, even for a first offence.

Calgary police have already issued nine tickets to people not adhering to the new measures and many warnings have been given out from bylaw officers.

Traffic along Crescent Road NW will also be restricted by authorities to prevent people from travelling to the popular lookout over Calgary's downtown.

Foot traffic will remain allowed on the McHugh Bluff stairs, however only for people to go up, to travel down people are required to use the ramp nearby.