Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
The Alberta government is making masks mandatory again for all indoor public spaces and workplaces starting Sept. 4 at 8 a.m.
The province will also offer a one-time incentive of $100 for those 18 or older who receive a first or second dose of vaccine between Sept. 3 and Oct. 14.
These temporary measures and others were announced Sept. 3 due to increasing COVID-19 transmission and rising hospital admissions.
More than 80 per cent of hospital cases are unvaccinated, including 91 per cent of patients in intensive care.
鈥淰accines are safe, effective, and a game-changer,鈥� said Health Minister Tyler Shandro in a press release. 鈥淭his is why the current wave is different than what we鈥檝e experienced before.
鈥淲hile we do not need to return to the same widespread and dramatic measures we had in place earlier in the pandemic, unvaccinated Albertans in particular are still at risk and are placing a heavy load on our health-care system. This is why we are taking measured steps and introducing a new incentive program to encourage more Albertans to get the jab.鈥�
As of Sept. 4 at 8 a.m., restaurants, caf茅s, bars, pubs, nightclubs and other licensed establishments will be required to end alcohol service at 10 p.m.
Schools won鈥檛 have to implement masking, but school boards will continue to set COVID-19 management policies.
After vaccination, eligible Albertans will be able to register online for the $100 incentive once the website is available on Sept. 13.
Alberta Health will validate registrations against provincial immunization data.
Those who don鈥檛 have access to a computer can contact 310-0000 for assistance, starting on Sept. 13.
Albertans are advised to limit in-person contacts, while the unvaccinated are recommended to limit their indoor social gatherings to close contacts of only two cohort families up to a maximum of 10 people.
Employers were also advised to pause plans to have staff return to work and instead continue work-from-home measures.
All Albertans can book appointments via AHS online or by calling 811, or through participating pharmacies. Walk-in appointments for first doses are also available.
For schedule and locations, visit
