With 'cautious optimism,' Calgary lifts state of local emergency
State of emergency was put in place in November 2020, and had been extended until August
As COVID-19 cases decrease and immunizations increase, Calgary has lifted its local state of emergency.
However, with some epidemiologists suggesting a fourth wave of cases could hit in the fall, officials stressed that the move doesn't mean the pandemic is over.
"It's important to proceed with cautious optimism," said CEMA chief Sue Henry during a Monday press conference. "We're not there yet, we need to hang in there a little bit longer."
The city's first state of emergency ran from March to June 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic. This state of emergency was implemented during the second wave of cases in November, and had been extended with a predicted end date of mid-August.
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said the move to end the nearly seven-month-long state of emergency shouldn't change Calgarians' behaviour.
"What does this mean?" the mayor said. "It actually doesn't mean anything. It's really helpful for us to be able to move to the next stage in our emergency management plan."
We don't want that fourth wave, we don't want to go backwards.- Mayor Naheed Nenshi
Nenshi said people should continue to get vaccinated, wear masks and physically distance — especially with the risk of more contagious variants.
"We don't want that fourth wave, we don't want to go backwards, nobody wants that … that future is in our hands."
Henry said she also would ask everyone to proceed with patience, and compassion, as everyone has different comfort levels heading into new stages of reopening.
Some of the city's pandemic measures, like the adaptive roadway program which opens up more space for people to walk, run and cycle, will remain in place.
And some city recreation facilities, including some arenas, the soccer centre and pools, have begun reopening with limited capacity and booking in advance.
City council is set to discuss the mask mandate next Monday.
As of Monday, a total of 767,586 Albertans — or 20.2 per cent of those over age 12 — are fully vaccinated.