Clothing stores, museums and barbershops could be allowed to open as early as May 14 in Alberta.
A phased relaunch has been planned by the provincial government to gradually reopen closed businesses and services and get back to a more normal life.
Early measures can be taken from May 4. Alberta Health Services will resume some scheduled, non-urgent surgeries and dental and other healthcare workers, like physiotherapists, audiologists and social workers will be allowed to resume services.
Access to provincial parks and public lands will also be reopened May 4, private and municipal campgrounds and parks can open with physical distancing restrictions, and golf courses can open with restrictions.
Jason Kenney, Premier of Alberta, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 confident Albertans will approach relaunch with the same adaptability and resilience they have shown throughout the COVID-19聽pandemic.聽
"We will move forward together with care and common sense, knowing tough times are still ahead.
"We will support and protect vulnerable Albertans and keep them safe as we build our province back up one stage at a time.鈥�
He said it is because Albertans have acted responsibly, respecting public health advice, that we have been able to limit the spread of COVID-19, keep localized outbreaks within the capacity of our health-care system, and now take the first incremental steps to reopen some businesses and services.
Physical distancing requirements of two metres will remain in place through all stages of relaunch and hygiene practices will continue to be required of businesses and individuals, along with instructions for Albertans to stay home when they have symptoms like a cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose, or sore throat.
Before Alberta moves to stage one, when businesses like clothing storers and hair salons can open, safeguards will be put in place.
These include enhancing COVID-19 testing capacity and contact tracing, supporting those who test positive for COVID-19, and rules and guidance for the use of masks in crowded spaces, especially on mass transit.
Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health, said: 鈥淭here are signs that our collective efforts of physical distancing, good hygiene practices, and staying home when advised are helping to slow the spread.
"However, we must guard against complacency and be patient to ensure the sacrifices we have already made to contain the virus are not wasted by carelessness as we gradually reopen businesses and services.鈥�
Alberta will progress to Stage 1 when health measures "are achieved to the satisfaction of the government based on the advice of the chief medical officer of health", as early as May 14.
Stage 1 highlights
- With increased infection prevention and controls, to minimize the risk of increased transmission of infections, some businesses and facilities can start to gradually resume operations as early as May 14:
- Retail businesses, such as clothing, furniture and bookstores. All vendors at farmers markets will also be able to operate.
- Some personal services like hairstyling and barber shops.
- Museums and art galleries.
- More scheduled surgeries, dental procedures, physiotherapy, chiropractic, optometry and similar services.
- Daycares and out-of-school care with limits on occupancy.
- Summer camps with limits on occupancy. This could include summer school.
- Caf茅s, restaurants (minors allowed in liquor licensed establishments) with no bar service to reopen for public seating at 50 per cent capacity.
- Some additional outdoor recreation.
- Post-secondary institutions will continue to deliver courses, however how programs are delivered 鈥� whether online, in-person, or a blend 鈥� will be dependent on what restrictions remain in place at each relaunch phase.
- The use of masks will be strongly recommended in certain specific crowded public spaces, like mass transit, that do not allow for physical distancing (two metres apart).
Still not permitted in stage 1
- Gatherings of more than 15 people. (Gatherings of 15 people or fewer must follow personal distancing and other public health guidelines.)
- Arts and culture festivals, major sporting events, and concerts, all of which involve close physical contact.
- Movie theatres, theatres, pools, recreation centres, arenas, spas, gyms and nightclubs will remain closed.
- Visitors to patients at health-care facilities will continue to be limited.
- In-school classes for kindergarten to Grade 12 students.
Recommendations
- Non-essential travel, especially travel outside the province, is not recommended.
- Remote working is advised where possible.
Stage 2 highlights
- Timing of this stage will be determined by the success of Stage 1, considering the capacity of the health-care system and continued limiting and/or reduction of the rate of infections, hospitalization and ICU cases.
- Will allow additional businesses and services to reopen and resume operations with two metre physical distancing requirements and other public health guidelines in place. 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.
- 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 open with restrictions.
Visitors to patients at health-care facilities will continue to be limited.
Still not permitted in stage 2
- Nightclubs, gyms, pools, recreation centres, and arenas will remain closed.
- Arts and culture festivals, concerts, attendance at major sporting events and other mass gatherings will continue to not be permitted.
Recommendations
- Non-essential travel is not recommended.
Stage 3 highlights
Timing of this stage is to be determined based on the success of stages 1 and 2 and will involve:
- Fully reopening all businesses and services, with some limited restrictions still in place.
- Permitting larger gatherings (number of people to be determined).
- Permitting arts and culture festivals, concerts and major sporting events with some restrictions.
- Permitting nightclubs, gyms, pools, recreation centres and arenas to reopen with restrictions.
- Resuming industry conferences with restrictions.
- No restrictions on non-essential travel.
COVID-19 numbers, April 30
Cases in Jasper: 9
Active cases in Jasper: 1
Jasper recoveries: 7
Jasper deaths: 1
Total cases in Alberta: 5,355
Alberta recoveries: 2,161
Alberta deaths: 89
