LAKELAND - The Government of Alberta has announced a list of strict new measures in response to an exponential growth of COVID-19 cases across the province, banning all indoor or outdoor gatherings, mandating masks across the province, and the temporary closure of a number of types of businesses and facilities.
Mandatory work-from-home measures are also being put in place across the province - this is a shift from a recommendation to a legal requirement, according to Premier Jason Kenney, who spoke first during the announcement on Tuesday afternoon.
Retail services can remain open but are going to be limited to just 15 per cent fire code occupancy, as of Dec. 13. Restaurants will also be closed to in-dinning services, along with bars and lounges. Shopping malls will also be limited to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy.
"We must act to protect lives," said Kenney, as he announced the new measures. He noted that new cases of the virus, fatalities and hospitalizations continue to grow at an alarming rate.
Places of worship are also limited to 15 per cent occupancy. Virtual services are strongly recommended.
Other facilities, such as libraries, gyms, pools, recreation centres, indoor skating rinks and arenas, and community halls, along with other similar facilities will all be required to close, as of Dec. 13.
These measures will be in place for at least four weeks. Measures announced a couple weeks ago remain in place.
When speaking about the provincial mask mandate, Kenney noted that "everyone has a civic duty to do their part."
The Premier also stated that a regional approach to slowing the spread of COVID-19 simply couldn't happen.
"We must have a coordinated province-wide approach," said Kenney.
Christmas
When speaking specifically about Christmas, Kenney acknowledged that the holidays are the most important time of the year for many people, and we all need the presence of family and friends. But, the biggest source of transmission is at-home gatherings, when people are more likely to let their guard down.
He noted that "without a shadow of a doubt" there would be an increase in hospitalizations and fatalities if the new measures are relaxed after three weeks.
Kenney said the measures were not a first resort, but rather a last resort to dealing with the current situation.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced that 1,727 new cases were confirmed on Tuesday. A total of 654 cases are in hospital, which includes 112 in ICU. Nine deaths were also reported.
She also noted that more surgeries would be cancelled. Other health care services will also be reduced as needed to support the health care system.
"This has been a long year for all of us. . . It is easy to lose track of the big picture," said Hinshaw. More than 72,000 Albertans have been infected with the virus since the start of the pandemic.
"We need to go above and beyond," to keep Albertans safe, said Hinshaw. She encouraged people to embrace the new restrictions for at least four weeks.
"There is no other option . . . and we will get through this together."
Small business support
To support Alberta’s small businesses as they adapt to the realities of the ongoing public health crisis, the Alberta government is expanding and increasing the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant, according to the provincial government.
With a new lower threshold and increased grant amount, up to 15,000 more businesses may be eligible for funding.
More to come...
