Calgary announces state of emergency due to coronavirus outbreak

Pools and fitness facilities owned and operated by the city will close along with the Calgary Public Library.

The Calgary Zoo also announced on Monday that it will be closing indefinitely.

Calgary businesses have been asked by the city to keep their occupancy at 50 percent capacity, which will either be 250 or a lower number confirmed by the fire department.

Businesses were asked to let employees work from home if possible by Mayor Nahleed Nanshi.

The city is also allowing residents to contact the council by phone during meetings this week—a first for Calgary.

About 3,500 employees are expected to be working from home by Monday. Throughout the week that number is expected to continue to grow.

Mayor Nahleed Nanshi also asked residents of the city to stock up but to avoid stockpiling. He added that people can use this time to connect with their families.

This follows an announcement by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney that K-12 along with post-secondary classes are being cancelled. Daycares will also be closed indefinitely.

Alberta now has 56 cases of coronavirus throughout the province, while there are 324 confirmed cases in Canada as a whole.