Coronavirus (COVID-19) Local News

Retail businesses, farmers' markets, museums and art galleries, day cares, hair salons and barbershops will be allowed to reopen. Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars can open at 50 per cent capacity.

Alberta’s Emergency Management Cabinet Committee will be meeting Tuesday evening (May 12) to make a final decision about moving forward with phase one of the economic relaunch strategy as early as Thursday (May 14

“Businesses can be assured that this idea is absolutely on the table for very serious consideration,” said Mayor Karen Sorensen.

Website offers sector-specific and general workplace guidelines on public health measures that need to be in place before a business or organization is able to reopen.

“We may be relaunching and people are going to start coming to town sooner than we thought … I’m concerned about having a nest egg in case we need to hire back a little faster than we thought," said Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen.

The province reported 47 new cases, and two more deaths

There have been 22 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with only two currently active, in the Bow Valley – including Lake Louise and Banff, Canmore and the MD of Bighorn

The province is now permitting travel to summer homes, cabins and cottages within Alberta, although local community guidelines should still be followed.

“It is encouraging to see these numbers coming down from last week because it means fewer people are experiencing severe outcomes from this virus. It means our health system has the capacity to handle potential additional COVID-19 cases if needed."