EDMONTON — A cabinet committee of Alberta's United Conservative government is scheduled to meet today to decide whether to further ease public health restrictions.
Premier Jason Kenney said last week the key metric is the hospitalization rate, which has been well under 300 for three weeks, but the number of Albertans in hospital with COVID-19 has been climbing.
On Sunday, officials reported there were 282 people in hospital.
The 300 figure was announced in January as the benchmark needed before Alberta could move to the third phase of its reopening plan, which includes opening entertainment venues such as movie theatres and casinos, and also allows adult team sports.
The number of new COVID-19 cases per day in Alberta has also climbed to more than 500 each day since the middle of last week.
Currently, retailers, restaurants, youth sports, and in-person worship services are open with capacity restrictions, but indoor gatherings remain banned and outdoor get-togethers are capped at 10 people.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 22, 2021.
The Canadian Press
