COVID-19 - Face Coverings Bylaw
For the safety and protection of our community, The City of Calgary requires people to wear face coverings or masks in indoor public spaces and public vehicles, with some exceptions.
The Temporary COVID-19 Face Coverings Bylaw came into effect on August 1, 2020 and will remain in effect through December 2021.
To see all of our COVID-19 information and updates, visit City of Calgary COVID-19.
Provincial Mask Requirements
In addition to this bylaw, the Province of Alberta has made face coverings mandatory in all indoor workplaces in Calgary, except when a person is working alone in an office or a safely distanced cubicle, and where there is an appropriate barrier in place.
Effective May 13, 2021 Provincial exceptions on wearing a mask due to a medical condition have changed. Individuals are required to obtain a medical exemption letter verifying their health condition from an authorized health-care provider. It may be presented when in a public setting or if requested by enforcement officials. For more information visit Alberta.ca.
While the bylaw remains in effect, provincial health order rules on masks are enforced over the bylaw when in place.
What does the bylaw require?
The bylaw mandates that face coverings be worn in the following places:
| Places | Examples |
|---|---|
|
Public transit |
Buses, shuttles and CTrains |
|
Public vehicles for hire |
Taxis, ridesharing businesses, vehicles for hire |
|
Public indoor spaces |
Malls, grocery stores, retail businesses, places of worship |
|
City of Calgary facilities |
Recreation centres, City Hall, City of Calgary buildings |
Failure to wear a face covering where required can result in a penalty of $500 and failure to display prescribed signage can result in a penalty of $200.
Subsequent offences within a 12-month period will result in higher penalties.
What are the exceptions?
The Face Coverings Bylaw includes exceptions:
- Children under 2 years of age
- People with underlying medical conditions or disabilities inhibiting their ability to wear a face covering
- People who are unable to place, use or remove a face covering safely without assistance
- People who are eating or drinking at a public premise that offers food or beverage services
- People engaging in an athletic or fitness activity
- People who are caregiving for or accompanying a person with a disability where wearing a face covering would hinder the accommodation of the person’s disability (for example, the ability to lip-read)
- People who have temporarily removed their face covering where doing so is necessary to provide or receive a service (for example, a visit to the dentist)
Please note: Proof is not required if someone has an exception. Businesses are not expected to enforce the bylaw or deny services as not everyone is required to wear a face covering.
View Face Coverings Bylaw: Questions & Answers.
To learn more about the bylaw and its full requirements, visit Face Coverings Bylaw.
Face covering requirements for business
Under the bylaw, business operators or owners are required to display signage in public entryways of the business or vehicle.
To download a sign, business guidance and other resources for businesses and operators, visit Masks and face coverings in businesses.
Failure to display signage can result in a penalty of $200.
Subsequent offences within a 12-month period will result in higher penalties.
Face coverings in condos and apartments
The Province’s public health measures require that masks be worn in the common areas of condos and apartments.
If you own or manage a condo building or apartment, you can download and post our “You are entering a high risk area – wear a mask" posters in your common spaces.
Face covering information and data
Government of Alberta - Enhanced public health orders
Please refer to the enhanced provincial health measures located at https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx