Free masks available around Calgary as mandatory mask bylaw takes effect

Half a million masks are to be made available for free around the city, as Calgary's mandatory mask bylaw goes into effect.

As of Saturday, 500,000 free and disposable masks will be available in packages of 10 at select recreationcentres and animal shelters across the city.

Masks will also be available at some Calgary Transit stations and bus terminals between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. every morning.

"You have to cover your nose, your mouth and your chin with a covering when you are in a public vehicle so, think a bus or a train or when you are in an indoor public space like a store," Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said at a press conference on Thursday.

Officers can ticket those who refuse to wear masks$50 for each offence but will start by trying to hand out a mask instead, Nenshi said.

"I hope that we'll never, ever give out a fine, because our No. 1 job is to educate people," Nenshi said.

"And I have a lot of faith in Calgarians to do the right thing."

Cities around Alberta have debated mandatory mask use after an increase in reported cases of COVID-19.

Calgary, Edmonton, Banff and other municipalitieshave gone ahead with bylaws to enforce mask usein certain indoor and even some outdoor spaces, in the case of Banff.

Masks are available at the following locations in Calgary:

Northwest Calgary

Shane Homes YMCA

11300 Rocky Ridge Rd. N.W.

• Monday to Friday from 5:30 a.m. to10 p.m.
• Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to8 p.m.

Melcor YMCA

8100 John Laurie Blvd. N.W.

• Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to2 p.m.

University of Calgary - Olympic Volunteer Centre

West Parking Lot McMahon Stadium

1833 Crowchild Trail N.W.

• Monday to Friday from9 a.m. until3 p.m., from Aug. 4 toAug. 31

Southwest Calgary

Gray Family Eau Claire YMCA

101 3 St. S.W.

• Monday to Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Northeast Calgary

Livery Transport Services

2116 27th Ave. N.E.

• Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saddletowne YMCA

7556 Falconridge Blvd. N.E.

• Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturdays from 7 a.m. to2 p.m.

Southeast Calgary

Portland Animal Services and Shelter

2201 Portland St. S.E.

• Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to6 p.m.
• Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to4 p.m.

Brookfield Residential YMCA

4995 Market St. S.E.

• Monday to Friday from 5:30 a.m. to10 p.m.
• Saturdays and Sundays from7 a.m. to8 p.m.

Remington YMCA

108 Quarry Park Rd. S.E.

• Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to8 p.m.
• Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to2 p.m.

Shawnessy YMCA

333 Shawville Blvd. S.E.

• Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to8 p.m.
• Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to2 p.m.