Premier Jason Kenney announcing an array of new public health restrictions that will come into effect on Friday. (CHAT News)

By Alex McCuaig

Schools, businesses also affected

Ban on indoor gatherings among new restrictions

Nov 24, 2020 | 5:47 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – New province-wide public health restrictions will see a ban on all indoor social gatherings across the province Premier Jason Kenney announced on Tuesday, as part a sweeping array of new measures aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Other province-wide restrictions include no outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people, including weddings and funerals. There is also a restriction on festivals or events.

The province declared a public health emergency.

Schools province-wide are also affected with in-person schooling for Grades 7 and up going to online learning starting on Nov. 30. Those in lower grades will continue with in-person classes.

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After the Christmas break, all students will do online learning for one week, before return to in-person classes on Jan. 11.

The measures are to be addressed in three weeks.

Mask have been mandated for Calgary, Edmonton and their immediate areas, but not for the province, including Medicine Hat.

READ MORE: 103 active COVID-19 cases in Medicine Hat

Restrictions for areas under enhanced status with more than 50 cases per 100,000 people – including Medicine Hat, Cypress County, Newell County, Brooks and the County of 40-Mile – will affect places of worship and restricted access to some businesses starting on Friday.

Those facilities, services and businesses include:

• Places of worship will be restricted to one-third occupancy and individuals will be required to wear a mask.
• All levels of sport from amateur to professional will be restricted, though, exemptions may be considered.
• Personal service businesses such as hair salons, massage, hotels, legal and accounting will not be able to cater to walk-in customers and are restricted to appointments only.
• Restaurants and bars will be allowed to continue to remain open but only individuals from the same household – to a maximum of six – will be allowed to be seated together and there can be no mingling between tables of patrons.
• Indoor fitness facilities and pools can remain open but will be limited to 25 per cent occupancy and other restrictions.

A full list of new restrictions can be found on the provincial website.