2 Calgary businesses ordered to close for violating COVID-19 rules

Two more Calgary businesses which remained open despite public health orders have been ordered to close by Alberta Health.

Shoulder to Shoulder Collectibles, an Inglewood antique store with a large collection of military memorabilia, was ordered to close by Alberta Health on April 3. 

Three days later, The Strength Edge, a northeast Calgary gym, was also ordered closed.

Owner Andrew Bolinger said all members of the private gym had individual keys, so he left the decision on attending up to them. 

"Some of the members suffer from severe depression, hypertension, et cetera, and by attending the facility they were balancing their own personal risks as best they could, as well as those they were in contact with, which I respected," he said in an email to CBC News.

Both businesses were allowing the public inside, according to Alberta Health, and must remain closed until the public health order is rescinded.

Alberta forced non-essential businesses to close on March 27 as it sought to slow the spread of COVID-19.

"With regards to the two specific businesses — they are not considered essential services," said Kerry Williamson, a spokesperson with AHS in an email to CBC News. "Gyms and hobby shops are specifically mentioned by Alberta Health as examples of non-essential services."

There have been 10 enforcement orders issued by AHS issued in relation to COVID-19 closures so far, Williamson said — seven in Calgary, two in the Edmonton zone, one in the central zone and none in either the south or north zones.

AHS has fielded thousands of complaints since that public health order was issued, many of which are related to facilities that should be closed or are not following self-isolation rules.