BANFF – The Town of Banff urges participants in the anti-racism rally in Banff on the weekend to get tested for COVID-19.
Town officials say most of the approximately 400 people who attended the peaceful Black Lives Matter event on Saturday (June 6) wore masks to help stop the spread of the virus.
“I would recommend anyone that attended that vigil to potentially look to schedule an asymptomatic test at their convenience,” said Silvio Adamo, the Town of Banff’s director of emergency management, at a council meeting Monday (June 8).
“The more people in general in our province and in the country who get tested, whether asymptomatic or symptomatic, I think is a good thing because it provides our health authorities with the data they need.”
Anti-racism rallies erupted worldwide following the death of George Floyd, who was killed on May 25 in Minneapolis, U.S. Floyd, an unarmed Black man, was killed by a white police officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck as he suffocated.
The police officer, Derek Chauvin, was fired from the police force and charged with second-degree murder. Three other officers present were also fired and are facing charges in Floyd’s death.
Adamo said approximately 400 people took part in Banff’s Black Lives Matter event, adding that the Town of Banff did supply masks to the event organizer.
“I did note observing the vigil that 95-plus per cent of the attendees were wearing masks, which was great to see,” he said.
“People were trying to maintain social distancing, although at times it was difficult to do so, particularly when they marched down Banff Avenue and through Bear Street.”
Meanwhile, the Town of Banff is delivering a sealed bag containing eight disposable masks to each dwelling in the townsite. The masks are part of the Alberta government’s plan to deliver abut 20 million masks throughout the province.
As part of the province’s relaunch strategy, Alberta Health Services encourages people to wear the masks in crowded public spaces and where it is difficult to maintain a two-metre distance from others.
Masks are not intended as a replacement for physical distancing, but are recommended to help prevent the transfer of the virus.
“Wearing a mask helps prevent transmitting the virus, which may not display symptoms for everyone or show up right away,” said Adamo. “We hope more people in town help normalize wearing a mask in more crowded public spaces, until a vaccine is available.”
Adamo said Roam Transit is also being supplied with 2,000 disposable masks for bus passengers and local medical offices are also getting 2,000 masks.
“As a reminder, local doctors’ offices will now provide symptomatic and asymptomatic testing for COVID by appointment,” he said.
Banff has seen only four reported cases of COVID-19 and all patients have recovered.
Across Alberta, a total of 6,698 people have recovered. Hospitalization rates remain low with 44 people in hospital, six of whom are in intensive care as of June 8. There have been 149 deaths province-wide.
Adamo said Banff residents must stay vigilant and follow all health recommendations and orders.
“As the numbers of cases continue to trend in the right direction and we start seeing more visitors in our community, we need to remember that COVID-19 is still out there,” he said.
