On April 30, 2020, the Province of Alberta released a statement outlining the province’s expectations for the required criteria and measures that would need to be in place to restart the economy.
Conditions for re-launch
Based on the criteria outlined by the Government of Canada, the following elements will be required to begin the staged approach to open Alberta’s economy:
- Enhancing our nation-leading COVID-19 testing capacity
- Robust and comprehensive contact tracing, aided by technology, to quickly identify and notify people who are at risk
- Support for those who test positive to enable isolation and containment of spread
- Stronger international border controls and airport screening
- Public use of masks in specified crowded spaces, or mass transit Strong protections for the most vulnerable, including those in long-term care
- Rapid response teams to deal with future outbreaks
Stages for re-launch
There will be 3 stages for re-launching Alberta’s economy:
Stage 1
Some businesses and facilities can resume operations with two (2) metre physical distancing requirements and other guidance in place.
This stage may begin as early as May 14, 2020.
This includes:
- Post-secondary institutions (online and in-person);
- Retail businesses;
- Personal services, including hairstyling and barber shops;
- Museums and art galleries;
- Additional non-essential surgeries and dental procedures;
- Physiotherapy, chiropractic, optometry, and similar services;
- Daycares with limits on occupancy;
- Summer camps with limits on occupancy, including summer school;
- Dine-in restaurants, cafés, lounges and bars at 50 per cent capacity; and
- Some additional outdoor recreation.
Stage 2
Timing of this stage will be determined by the success of Stage 1, considering the capacity of the healthcare system and continued limiting and/or reduction of the rate of infections, hospitalization, and ICU cases.
This includes:
- Potential Kindergarten to Grade 12 schools with restrictions
- More scheduled surgeries, including backlog elimination.
- Personal services such as artificial tanning, esthetics, cosmetic skin and body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, facial treatments, massage and reflexology.
- Restaurants, cafés, lounges and bars continuing to operate at reduced capacity.
- Permitting of some larger gatherings (number of people to be determined as we learn more about the levels of risk for different activities) in some situations.
- Movie theatres and theatres opening with restrictions.
Stage 3
Timing of this stage is to be determined.
This includes:
- Fully reopening all businesses and services, with limited restrictions;
- Arts and culture festivals, concerts and major sporting events will be permitted with enhanced protection controls in place;
- Nightclubs, gyms, pools, recreation centres, and arenas will reopen with enhanced protection controls in place; and
- Permitting larger gatherings (number of people to be determined).
Key public health measures for all three stages
| wdt_ID | Public Health Measure | Current | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physical Distancing | Maintain distance of 2M | Maintain distance of 2M | Maintain distance of 2M | Maintain distance of 2M |
| 2 | Gatherings | Gatherings > 15 prohibited | Gatherings > 15 prohibited | Size of permitted gatherings will increase | Size of permitted gatherings will increase |
| 3 | Public masks | Encourage wearing a mask where unable to physically distance | Encourage wearing a mask where unable to physically distance | Encourage wearing a mask where unable to physically distance | Unnecessary |
| 4 | Vulnerable Albertans (outside facility) | Remain home unless medically necessary | Stay at home as much as possible | Resume normal activities and interactions | Resume normal activities and interactions |
| 5 | Vulnerable Albertans (facility-based) | Visitor, staff, and operational restrictions | Visitor, staff, and operational restrictions | Visitor, staff, and operational restrictions | Lifted |
| 6 | Non-essential domestic travel | Non-essential travel not recommended | Non-essential travel not recommended | Non-essential travel not recommended | Lifted |
| 7 | Isolation and quarantine | 14 days for cases, close contacts, and returning travelers 10 days if symptomatic but don’t fit above categories | 14 days for cases, close contacts, and returning travelers 10 days if symptomatic but don’t fit above categories | 14 days for cases, close contacts, and returning travelers 10 days if symptomatic but don’t fit above categories | Lifted |
Additional information
The full guide released by the Province of Alberta can be found here.