Calgary says 69 tickets issued under Public Health Act since late November

The City of Calgary says 69 tickets have been issued under the Public Health Act since its state of local emergency was redeclared in November.

Of those tickets, 22 were issued since Dec. 23, the city said Wednesday in a release.

Another 67 tickets have been issued for failureto wear a face covering since the city enacted its mask mandate on Aug. 1. Six of those tickets were issued since Dec. 23.

The city said police and peace officers were out patrolling shopping malls over Boxing Day weekend, and that compliance was high thanks to capacity restrictions and safety protocols put in place by mall management.

"Officers also responded to citizen concerns over the holidays, and the vast majority of Calgarians were viewed to be complying with the restrictions and enforcement was not required in most cases," the city said.

However, the city said it is asking people to make some changes to how they visit park spaces and ice rinks due to crowding.

Busy periods on popular ice rinks have typically been between 1 and 5 p.m., the city said, so Calgarians are being asked to consider going at alternative times so physical distancing can be maintained.

"Due to safety concerns, face coverings or masks will now be a recommended when tying skates in bench areas or using fire pits, and remain a requirement when you cannot maintain twometres from anyone outside of your household," saidJustin Brown, zone superintendent for Calgary Parks.

"We ask that everyone spread out while putting on their skates and that they do so as quickly as possible, so others may use the benches and avoid crowding."

The city said it's also reminding people that if an outdoor space is crowded, to consider returning at another time or going to a different space.

The city said Calgarianscanreport concernsto Alberta Health Servicesonline or by calling 1-833-415-9179, or to the city by contacting 311, or to the Calgary Police Service via its non-emergency line at 403-266-1234.