Stage 2 of Alberta's relaunch strategy will go ahead on Friday, June 12.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced today that additional businesses and services can reopen and resume operations starting June 12 with two metre physical distancing requirements and other public health guidelines in place.
Kenney said: "I cannot emphasise how important it is to enjoy these renewed activities while still being diligent about basic public health protection including physical distancing, hand washing, controlling coughs and sneezes and wearing masks when appropriate and, critically, if you have symptoms of or test positive for stay at home and self isolate for at least 14 days."
He said the decision to bring forward the Stage 2 date was due to "science and solid data".
Data for June 8 shows 355 active cases and 44 people in hospital across Alberta. This is a decrease of almost 70 per cent in active cases since May 14 鈥� when the province began Stage 1 of the Alberta Relaunch Strategy.
Alberta has performed more COVID-19 tests per capita than most other jurisdictions in the world.
As the province enters stage two of relaunch, safety remains the top priority. More businesses, sport and recreation services can open if they are ready. Some larger gatherings for seated audience events will be permitted. In all cases, public health guidance must be followed.
鈥淎lbertans have demonstrated the care and common sense needed to move forward with our relaunch earlier than initially planned," said Kenney.
"Our data tells us our active cases are low, hospitalizations are trending downward and people are taking action to protect those most vulnerable and prevent the spread of the virus.
We will continue to move forward together to overcome any tough times ahead, but responsible Albertans should be proud of the vigilance they have shown to date.鈥�
What can open with restrictions
- K-12 schools, for requested diploma exams and summer school, following guidance
- libraries
- more surgeries
- wellness services such as massage, acupuncture and reflexology
- personal services (aesthetics, cosmetics skin and body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, facial treatments, artificial tanning)
- movie theatres and theatres
- community halls
- team sports
- indoor recreation, fitness and sports, including gyms and arenas
- pools for leisure swimming
- VLTs in restaurants and bars
- bingo halls and casinos (but not table games)
- instrumental concerts
- provincial campgrounds at full capacity
The 50 per cent capacity limit for provincial campgrounds is being lifted. Over the coming days, the online reservation system will be updated and sites will come online in phases. By July 1, all camping sites will be open for reservations. First-come, first-served sites may open sooner. Information on additional sites will be added to聽聽when they become available.
Events and gatherings can be larger in stage 2
- 50 people maximum: indoor social gatherings, including wedding and funeral receptions, and birthday parties
- 100 people maximum: outdoor events and indoor seated/audience events, including wedding and funeral ceremonies
- No cap on the number of people (with public health measures in place):
- worship gatherings
- restaurant, cafes, lounges and bars
- casinos
- bingo halls
- More flexibility for 鈥榗ohort鈥� groups 鈥� small groups of people whose members do not always keep 2 metres apart:
- a household can increase its close interactions with other households to a maximum of 15 people
- performers can have a cohort of up to 50 people (cast members or performers)
- sports teams can play in region-only cohorts of up to 50 players (mini leagues)
- people could be part of a sports/performing and household cohort.
Still not approved in stage 2
- social gatherings that exceed above listed maximums
- regular in-school classes for kindergarten to Grade 12. Classes will resume September 2020
- vocal concerts (as singing carries a higher risk of transmission)
- major festivals and concerts, large conferences, trade shows and events (as these are non-seated social events and/or vocal concerts)
- nightclubs
- amusement parks
- hookah lounges (permitted for food and drink only)
- major sporting events and tournaments
- non-essential travel outside the province is not recommended 鈥� this won't be lifted until stage 3 of the relaunch strategy
The success of Stage 2 will determine when Alberta progresses to Stage 3. Factors are active cases, health-care system capacity, hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) cases, and infection rates.
Stage 3 timing will be determined based on health indicators. Some restrictions and enhanced protection controls will remain in place.
Lifted restrictions
- fully reopening all businesses and services, with some restrictions
- larger gatherings permitted (number of people to be determined)
- arts and culture festivals, vocal concerts and major sporting events will be permitted with restrictions
- nightclubs will reopen, with restrictions
- industry conferences can resume, with restrictions
- no restrictions on non-essential travel
Continuing restrictions
- physical distancing restrictions will be maintained
