We made it, Chestermere!
All COVID-19 restrictions, with a few minor exceptions, will be lifted by the Provincial government as of July 1, 2021, and the City of Chestermere will follow suit. To celebrate this, our Canadian heritage, and the start of summer, the City will light up the sky with fireworks on Friday, July 2, at 10:30 p.m. at the north end of Chestermere Lake.
“Each community member’s diligence with evolving COVID-19 restrictions and reaching the 70% first dose threshold for vaccines has paid off, and we are excited to celebrate in person once more,” says Mayor Marshall Chalmers.
In Chestermere, masking will not be required starting July 1, so long as there are under 10 cases in Chestermere. As of June 23, the City has eight cases. The local mask bylaw will be completely reviewed by City Council on July 6, and City buildings are planned to reopen to the public on July 20. However, residents are asked to make smart choices and consider wearing a mask voluntarily in crowded indoor places.
Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, recently shared: “As we find our way back into activities that are newly allowed, it is important to remember that precautions like avoiding crowded, indoor areas or wearing a mask are reasonable choices for those that have risk factors such as severe outcomes, or for those who have not yet gotten their second dose.”
While the vast majority of the restrictions will be eased, some masking rules for specific settings and quarantine requirements for positive COVID-19 cases will remain. The details can be found at alberta.ca/covid19.
In addition to lifting masking requirements, the City is reinstating unrestricted access for Anniversary Park on July 1, although the complete removal of fencing may take a few days.
Though no festivities other than fireworks on July 2 will be held in Chestermere for the Canada Day weekend this year, more in-person events are also expected as we move forward.
“The past 16 months have been a whirlwind of changes, loss and reflection. COVID-19 is still an ongoing global pandemic. It will remain in our community, Province and Country for some time. However, the summer sun is shining at the end of the tunnel,” says Mayor Chalmers.
