BANFF – Banff is bracing for the potential of being placed on the COVID-19 watch list.
As of Nov. 5, there were five positive COVID cases in Banff and Lake Louise, but local officials are anxiously awaiting the latest numbers to be released this afternoon.
“We have been made aware that there may be more positive cases identified in our community,” said Silvio Adamo, the Town of Banff’s director of emergency management, at a council meeting on Monday (Nov. 9).
“A community moves to watch status when there are 50 active cases per 100,000 and at least 10 active cases. If we do move to watch, mandatory and voluntary measures will be implemented in our community.”
If this occurs, Banff would be required to adopt the restrictions of 15 or fewer people for indoor and outdoor social and family gatherings.
“Essentially any private social gathering that has a mixing and mingling component would be reduced to 15-person limits,” Adamo said.
“This applies to all social gatherings, including banquets, awards ceremonies, wedding or funeral receptions, luncheons, potlucks, birthday parties, baby showers, retirement dinners.”
It does not apply to seated audience gatherings, such as conferences, sports, restaurants, fitness centres, wedding ceremonies, funeral services or worship services.
“Those numbers are maintained at a maximum 100 per indoor seated event and 200 per outdoor seated event,” Adamo said.
In addition, areas with watch status are asked to voluntarily limit their contact to no more than three cohorts: your core household, your school, and one other sport/social cohort. Young children in child care can be part of four cohorts.
Adamo urged residents and visitors to follow all public health measures.
“As case counts continue to rise in our province and country, I am certain that folks are starting to get worried, amongst other feelings,” he said.
“I want to remind us all we have the collective capability to affect positive change through our day-to-day actions, so I am asking everyone to please follow COVID best practices.”
Adamo said there is positive news with Monday’s announcement of Pfizer - one of Canada’s vaccine parters – indicated its coronavirus vaccine proved 90 per cent effective in a final-phase study.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel. Pfizer has extremely positive results to date on human trials being conducted,” he said.
“That is is still going to take some time, but in the interim, let’s all double down on our efforts and look forward to brighter days.”
Councillor Peter Poole said he was worried about the coming weeks, fearing another lockdown.
“I am really concerned for our community, for the health of our health-care workers and school teachers,” he said.
“I am really concerned for our businesses that try and eke out a living over the Christmas and New Year period.”
––This story will be updated as new information becomes available.
