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Pressure built on Monday to shut down the city’s casinos and bingo halls, which received an exemption from a provincial government battling COVID-19 outbreaks.

At a city council meeting, Ward 8 Coun. Evan Woolley asked why those businesses hadn’t been ordered to close down, along with schools, universities and city facilities which all faced closure mandates.

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In response, Calgary Emergency Management Agency chief Tom Sampson said he didn’t understand the exemption and that it shouldn’t remain.

“I don’t get it. I think they should probably be closed,” said Sampson.

“You have to include bingo halls, too — a place where you have lots of folks who are in advanced age and all in one room hitting the daubers. . . I’m hopeful (the province) makes the statement, but if they don’t, we’re prepared to make some statements today either restricting or completely mandating the closure.”

If the province doesn’t shutter them to enhance social distancing, the city could do so, by invoking the 250-person maximum allowance that originated from the province, said Sampson.

In a tweet Monday morning, Ward 9 Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra also expressed bewilderment over the exception.

“We’re all a little mystified. It’s a provincial call. We’ll get some clarity but I’m assuming casinos will be subject to closure shortly,” he stated.