Alberta announces 'last resort' restrictions for at least a month as virus spreads at 'alarming rate'
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Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced additional “last resort” restrictions in an effort to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases in the province and risk of transmission.
Effective immediately, the following measures are in effect:
All outdoor gatherings are now banned, in addition to the existing restrictions on indoor gatherings with people outside of your household
Masking mandate will be extended to all indoor spaces, excluding farm operations and rental accommodations used solely for the purposes of a private residence
The following measures will come into effect on Dec. 13:
Retail services must limit their shoppers from 25 per cent of occupancy to 15 per cent, including grocery stores and shopping malls (food court kiosks can remain open but only for takeaway)
Places of worship must also limit their capacity to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy
Restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes will be closed to in-person service, only take out and delivery service is allowed
Employees must work from home unless an employer requires a physical presence for “operational effectiveness”
A number of businesses must close operations entirely on Dec. 13. This includes casinos, bingo halls, gaming centres, bowling alleys, pool halls, private clubs, libraries, science centres, museums, galleries, amusement and water parks, banquet halls, gyms, and personal services like hair and nail salons.
All of these new restrictions will be in place for at least four week and will apply across the province.
“It has always been our preference to take a regionally targeted approach but we have concluded, regrettably, that is not a viable option right now,” Kenney said. “The virus is spreading at an alarming rate in every region of the province and many of those who fall ill in rural areas do end up being cared for in the increasingly hard-pressed large urban hospitals.”
The premier went on to speak about Christmas gatherings, stressing that celebrations must be limited to members of ones household, or up to two close contacts for people who live alone.
“Clearly the biggest single source of viral transmission is at home gatherings, it’s when we let our guard down, it’s when we relax with people that we are close to,” Kenney said. “If we replace the public health measures to permit large family gatherings in just three weeks time we will, without a shadow of a doubt, see large increases in hospitalizations and fatalities.”
“We simply cannot let this Christmas turn into a tragedy for many families.”
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