By Chris Brown

The latest from the province

Kenney tells returning Albertans to go directly to their homes for self-isolation

Mar 23, 2020 | 2:46 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Premier Jason Kenney did not mince words when it comes to what Albertans abroad must do when they return to the province.

“We need to send a message to all of them that they must self-isolate at their home immediately upon return to Alberta,” Kenney said. “This does not mean going to the grocery store. This does not mean going to the grocery store This does not mean going to the kennel to pick up your dog. It does not mean dropping your RV off at a service company to be serviced. It does not mean going and visiting the grandkids. It means one thing and one thing only … You must go directly and immediately to your home.”

“We will not tolerate people coming in form overseas and then mixing with the general population. They would be threatening public health in Alberta. I cannot emphasize this strongly enough.”

Kenney said the province will use stronger legal tools to impose that obligation on people and stronger penalties, echoing the message sent by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier in the day.

Kenney’s update also included a series of measures designed to ease the financial hardship Albertans are facing, including reversing the increase to the education property tax amount introduced in Budget 2020.

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“Things have changed drastically and Albertans shouldn’t have to worry about a higher property tax level,” said Kenney.

The move is expected to save about $55 million for households and $32 million for business.

Kenney also revealed the government will defer its share of the education property tax on non-residential properties until October 2020 and employers will only be responsible for 50 per cent of their portion. Employers’ payments will be deferred to future years. Kenney said that $458 million will remain with employers over the next six months to help them pay employees and continue to operate.

“These savings are expected to be fully realized by Albertans and Alberta employers,” he said. “We need employers to know we’re not going to drain their bank accounts from payments. They will have more cash on hand to get through this challenging time and reopen their doors when the public health crisis has abated.

Also deferring Workers’ Compensation Board premiums until the end of 2020 and small- and medium-sized businesses will see their WCB premiums cut in half this year.

Read the full update here