The Town of Banff is opening isolation space for certain Banff residents tomorrow to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
The emergency housing will be available beginning December 1 and is available to qualified Banff residents who:
- live in a shared accommodation, and
- have tested positive for COVID-19, or
- have been notified they have been a close contact of someone who has tested positive for the virus.
“The facility we’re opening is a safe place for residents to isolate for free, without fear of transmission to others in their normal home,” said Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen. “The health of our residents is our top priority and by providing this space we hope to stop the spread of COVID-19 cases in our community.”
The isolation housing facility is located in the Town of Banff. The location is not being identified initially to ensure individuals do not visit the facility. The facility will expand isolation space in Banff, by adding to units provided by the Banff YWCA.
“We are grateful to the YWCA for operating isolation space for so many weeks, and we are pleased we have access to additional living space that we can operate for the benefit of the whole community,” said Sorensen.
Town staff will work with individuals isolating in the facility to ensure all essential needs are met, including deliveries, meals and access to financial supports. Staff will also be conducting wellness checks throughout an individual’s stay. All services are provided free of charge.
Anyone who chooses to isolate at the facility must remain there for the duration of their quarantine period and cannot have visits from family or friends. This follows Alberta Health Services (AHS) requirements for those isolating after testing positive for COVID-19, or those having been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.
“If you can’t isolate appropriately in your current accommodation, we strongly encourage you to make use of this housing and direction from AHS,” Sorensen said. “COVID-19 cases continue to grow in Banff and this is one of the many ways we’re working to slow the spread.”
Individuals seeking access to the isolation housing must email help@banff.ca and an Emergency Social Services staff member will contact you about the intake process. Staff are working seven days a week monitoring the email address. There is no in-person registration for the facility.
For more information on isolation/quarantine or Banff restrictions, visit https://banff.ca/COVID