25 tickets issued since Nov. 25 for COVID-19 public health violations in Calgary

The city says it is continuing to enforce those whoflout publichealth regulations in Calgary.

According to a city news release issued on Thursday, 40 tickets have now been issued since the city's mask bylaw went into effect at the beginning of August, eight of which have been issued since Dec. 9.

In addition, the city said they have issued a total of 25 tickets for violations against the Alberta Public Health Act since Nov. 25, 11 of themsince Dec. 9.

"Over the last week, three [public health] tickets were issued to protesters," the city news release reads. "Two additional related tickets will be served, along with other bylaw-related infraction tickets stemming from events last weekend."

Despite thepublic health orders, Calgary has seen multiple anti-mask rallies over the past several weeks, including one that took place last weekend.

• Enforcement at anti-mask rallies is a balancing act, former officer says

Over the past number of weeks, hundreds of people have marched through the streets of Calgary to protest the COVID-19 restrictions.

"The City of Calgary will continue to investigate and actively enforce at planned events and protests that create the greatest risk to the public in violation of the [Public Health Act]," the release from the city reads.

The city said it had also formed a public compliance team and will conductweekly inspections for the foreseeable future.

"The vast majority of businesses are adhering to the Public Health Act and we are grateful to the business community for doing their part to follow restrictions and enhance the safety of their patrons," said Ryan Pleckaitis, the city's chief bylaw officer, in the release.

Pleckaitis said the city has heard some concerns about overcrowding in large facilities like shopping malls and said those concerns would be reviewed in a timely manner.