Alberta’s relaunch begins Friday, golf courses can open May 2

Kenney said thanks to the choices Albertans have made we are in a strong place as the province begins to return to a more normal life.

“A full return to normal won’t come until there’s an effective vaccine or treatment, or until the virus is no longer there to threaten us,” he said.

Until then, he said, everyone must remain vigilant and practice the distance and hygiene habits that have become the norm over the past few months.

Other early actions include Alberta Health Services resuming some scheduled, non-urgent surgeries as soon as May 4. Dental and other health-care workers, such as physiotherapists, speech language pathologists, respiratory therapists, audiologists, social workers, occupational therapists, dieticians and more, will be allowed to resume services starting May 4, as long as they are following approved guidelines set by their professional colleges.

The government hopes to make campsites available as soon as possible, with the goal to have as many open as possible by June 1. At first sites will be open to Albertans only. Group and comfort camping will not be offered and there will be campground facility access restrictions to areas such as showers, picnic and cooking shelters. More information will be posted to albertaparks.ca.

Alberta Parks’ online reservation system will be available May 14 to book site visits beginning June 1. No washrooms or garbage pickup will be available within provincial parks at this time. Those services will be available as soon as Alberta Environment and Parks bring staff back.

The government says progress to Stage 1 will occur once 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.

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 reads the government’s plan.

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 barbershops.
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.
Cafés, 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 – whether online, in-person, or a blend – 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).

Gatherings of more than 15 people will still not be permitted in Stage 1. 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, are also not permitted in Stage 1. The same goes for movie theatres, theatres, pools, recreation centres, arenas, spas, gyms and nightclubs, which must remain closed. Visitors to patients at health-care facilities will continue to be limited and there will be no in-school classes for kindergarten to Grade 12 students.

Non-essential travel, especially travel outside Alberta, is not recommended in Stage 1 and remote working is advised where possible.

The timing of implementing Stage 2 will be determined by the success of Stage 1, taking the capacity of the health-care system into consideration and continued limiting and/or reduction of the rate of infections, hospitalization and ICU cases.

Stage 2 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.

Nightclubs, gyms, pools, recreation centres, and arenas will remain closed and arts and culture festivals, concerts, attendance at major sporting events and other mass gatherings will still not be allowed. Non-essential travel is not recommended.

Stage 3 will move ahead based on the success of the previous stages 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.

Quick facts

Relaunch stages will also include an evaluation and monitoring period to determine if restrictions should be adjusted up or down. Triggers that will inform decisions on the lessening or tightening of restrictions include hospitalizations and intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy.
Confirmed cases and rates of new infections will be monitored on an ongoing basis to inform proactive responses in localized areas of the province.
Decisions will be applied at both provincial and local levels, where necessary. While restrictions are gradually eased across the province, an outbreak may mean that they need to be strengthened temporarily in a local area.
Faith-based organizations are an essential part of the lives of Albertans. They continue to be able to practice, subject to public health direction, including mass gatherings and physical distancing. Government is working with faith-based organizations to learn from past outbreaks and provide guidance related to specific practices including singing and other traditions to ensure safety while supporting social connection.

Saskatchewan announced its five-phase relaunch plan last week. It begins May 4 with dentists, optometrists, physical and occupational therapists and chiropractors allowed to resume services. Boat launches in provincial parks can reopen and online reservations for provincial parks can go ahead.

by Chris Brown

Alberta’s relaunch begins Friday, golf courses can open May 2

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