Alberta has declared a state of public emergency. Covid 19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise, largely in unvaccinated Albertab. These new measures will protect the health care system, stop the spread and increase vaccination rates starting September 16th.
It is an incontestable fact that getting immunized makes us all safer. A one time incentive of $100 us available for Albertans 18 + who get their first or second dose between September 3 and October 14.
- Kenney said Wednesday his government has “reluctantly decided” to institute what it called a “proof-of-vaccination” program.
- Businesses and social events that are eligible can choose whether to implement this program, called the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP). If they do, vaccine-eligible Albertans will be required to provide government-issued proof of immunization or a negative COVID-19 test to patronize businesses and social events and it will be largely business as usual for the vaccinated.
- Negative COVID-19 tests from Alberta Health are not applicable as part of the “vaccination exemption program,” Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, said Thursday. Tests must be privately paid for.
- To enter these establishments, which include restaurants, bars and indoor organized events, people aged 12 and older will be required to show their proof of vaccination or a recent negative test result.
- A QR code for proof of vaccination will be made available in the coming weeks, Health Minister Tyler Shandro said — similar to the vaccine passport systems announced months ago by Quebec and weeks ago by B.C. The printable immunization record on the My Health Alberta website will not be available until Sunday morning, Shandro said, as improvements to the website are being made.
- Kenney also said he’s proud of how Alberta has handled the pandemic compared to much of the rest of the world, saying that up until now, the province’s fatality rate has been lower than the Canadian average and much lower than that in the U.S. and some other countries without “damaging restrictions.”
How the restrictions and exemptions will work:
Some of the broad strokes of the new restrictions include:
As of Sept. 16:
- Private social gatherings:
- Indoor private gatherings for vaccine-eligible, fully vaccinated people are limited to a single household plus one other household to a maximum of 10 people, with no restrictions on children under the age of 12.
- Attendance at any indoor private social gathering is not permitted for vaccine-eligible individuals who are unvaccinated.
- Outdoor private social gatherings are permitted to a maximum of 200 people, with two-metre physical distancing maintained at all times.
- Workplaces:
- Work-from-home measures are mandatory unless the employer has decided a physical presence is required for operational reasons.
- Places of worship:
- Must limit attendance to one-third fire code capacity.
- Face masks will be mandatory and there must be two-metre physical distancing between households or two close contacts for those living alone.
- Outdoor events:
- No attendance restrictions, but two-metre physical distancing adhered to.
- Schools (K-12):
- Mandatory masking for students in Grades 4 and up, as well as staff and teachers in all grades. Schools that can implement an alternate COVID safety plan can be exempted from mandatory masking.
- Elementary schools must implement class cohorting.
- For physical activities in schools, youth aged 18 and under are not required to mask or maintain two-metre distance when engaged in physical activity.
- There are no restrictions on outdoor activities.
- Indoor sports/performance/recreation/special interests are permitted with requirements for two-metre physical distancing, where possible.
As of Sept. 20:
- Restaurants:
- Restaurants that choose to implement the Restrictions Exemption Program can operate as usual when it comes to vaccine-eligible Albertans with proof of vaccination.
- Otherwise:
- Outdoor dining only with a maximum of six individuals per table (one household or two close contacts for those living alone).
- Liquor sales to end at 10 p.m. and consumption at 11 p.m.
- Weddings and funerals:
- Hosting facilities that choose to implement the Restrictions Exemption Program can operate as usual when it comes to vaccine-eligible Albertans with proof of vaccination.
- Otherwise:
- All indoor ceremonies and services are limited to 50 attendees or 50 per cent fire code capacity, whichever is less.
- No indoor receptions are permitted.
- All outdoor ceremonies and services for weddings and funerals must be limited to 200 attendees.
- Retail, entertainment and recreation facilities such as libraries, nightclubs and casinos:
- Hosting facilities that choose to implement the Restrictions Exemption Program can operate as usual when it comes to vaccine-eligible Albertans with proof of vaccination.
- Otherwise:
- Limited to one-third fire code capacity, attendees are only permitted to attend with their household or two close contacts for those living alone.
- People must be masked and keep two-metre physical distancing between households.
- Adult sports, fitness and recreation:
- Facilities that implement the Restrictions Exemption Program can operate as usual when it comes to vaccine-eligible Albertans with proof of vaccination.
- Otherwise:
- No indoor group classes or activities are permitted.
- One-on-one training or individual workouts are permitted but three-metre physical distancing is required.
- No contact between players; no indoor competitions except where case-by-case vaccine exemptions have been granted.
- A full list of restrictions and exemptions is available on the government’s website.
