BANFF – Surveillance cameras have been set up at the Banff recreation grounds to ensure residents obey public health orders around social distancing and limits on gatherings of more than 15 people.
Recognizing people want to get outside with the COVID-19 lockdown, the Town of Banff has also opened the skateboard park at certain times when supervisors are available: weekdays from 3-5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m-noon and 3-5 p.m.
Officials say when the skate park is open, supervisors will limit the number of skateboarders to a maximum of 15 as required by Alberta Health Services, which means people may be turned away, or need to trade places with others.
“It is open for a portion of each day, as we have skate park ambassadors supervising and helping ensure distancing requirements are maintained,” said Jason Darrah, the Town of Banff’s director of communications.
“It is closed when not supervised, and the closure is enforced by patrols.”
In addition, the Town of Banff has temporarily installed video cameras at three locations at the recreation grounds – the skateboard park, basketball court and picnic area.
Silvio Adamo, the Town of Banff’s director of emergency management and director of the emergency coordination centre, said enforcement staff will periodically use the live video stream to supplement patrols at the rec grounds.
“We recognize the importance of being outdoors for the physical and mental well-being of everyone,” he said.
“But we need to ensure that safety measures are being followed and are taken seriously to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 in Banff.”
So far in Banff National Park, there have been four confirmed cases, reported, including three patients that have recovered and one case that remains active. As of May 5, there were 5,893 confirmed cases province-wide.
As soon as the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the video cameras will be removed and and will replace aging traffic cameras.
“Even in phase 1, 2 and 3 of the relaunch strategy, the two-metre social distancing is still going to be a requirement under a health order as we understand it,” said Adamo.
“There’s still going to be a need to monitor and to educate, and enforce, but hopefully not, if necessary.”
Banff's municipal bylaw peace officers and RCMP have been granted full authority by the provincial government to enforce Alberta’s COVID-19 public health orders, including no gatherings of more than 15 people and keeping a distance of two metres from each other.
Violators may be subject to tickets of $1,000 per occurrence, while courts could administer fines of up to $100,000 for a first offence and up to $500,000 for a subsequent offence for more serious violations.
While the washrooms and sports fields at the rec grounds are currently open, the Town of Banff reminds people to avoid activities where people will gather, potentially come in contact or within two metres of each other, or share equipment or passing a ball.
Adamo said municipality is working with Alberta Health Services to provide information that would allow people to safely pursue activities, with special measures.
“We are all trying to work together to keep people safe,” he said.
From March 27 to April 20, Banff RCMP issued warnings to 210 individuals and municipal enforcement warned another 235 people for breaching public health orders during the pandemic. The updated figures are being compiled.
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