By Chris Brown

Looking at mid June for Stage 2

Alberta to begin reopening on May 28, more restrictions to lift on June 1

May 26, 2021 | 12:04 PM

The province will begin easing public health restrictions on May 28, the start to enjoying a truly great Alberta summer Premier Jason Kenney said today.

“Alberta’s Open For Summer plan puts the power in the hands of each and every Albertan. Now is our time, Alberta,” said Kenney. “If large numbers of Albertans keep getting vaccinated and keep following all the public health orders and guidelines in the meantime we’ll reopen in just a matter of weeks.”

The first step in Stage 1 is increasing the capacity limits for worship services across the province to 15 per cent of fire code capacity on May 28.

On June 1, outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people will be allowed, retail capacity limits will rise to 15 per cent of fire code capacity and restaurant patios can reopen with tables of up to four people.

As well, personal and wellness services can open for appointment only, and outdoor sports and recreation will be allowed with up to 10 people.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

22h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

“This stage will be a careful step forward,” Kenney said. “We have to be prudent so we keep driving cases and hospitalization pressure down, which will put us in a better position then to open up completely in just a few weeks.”

STAGE 1

Starting May 28:

• The capacity limit for worship services increases to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy.

Starting June 1:

• Outdoor social gatherings, with distancing, increase to up to 10 people.
  • Indoor social gatherings are still not permitted.
• Outdoor patio dining can resume with a maximum of four people per table.
  • Everyone at the table must be members of the same household or for a person living alone, dining parties are limited to two close contacts.
  • Physical distancing and other restrictions still apply.
• Outdoor physical, performance and recreational activities are permitted with up to 10 distanced people, for all ages.
• Retail can increase to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy (must maintain ability to distance).
• Personal and wellness services can reopen, by appointment only.
• Wedding ceremonies may have up to 10 people, including the officiant, bride/groom, witnesses and any photographers/videographers. Receptions remain prohibited.
• Funeral ceremonies may have up to 20 people, not including facility staff, funeral clergy or organizers not considered guests. Receptions remain prohibited.
• Distancing and masking requirements remain in effect.

Stage 1 is starting two weeks from the date when 50 per cent of eligible Albertans have been vaccinated with at least one dose and hospitalizations are at 800 and declining.

Kenney says Alberta hit those benchmarks on May 18.

Stage 2 will begin two weeks after 60 per cent of eligible Albertans have been vaccinated with at least one dose and hospitalizations are at 500 and declining.

Based on current figures, Stage 2 could begin in the middle of June, said Kenney.

It will include opening movie theatres and libraries, indoor fitness, fewer restrictions on restaurants, higher capacity limits at places of retail and worship and outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people.

Outdoor fixed seating facilities, such as grandstands can open with one-third seated capacity and public outdoor gatherings such as concerts/festivals can increase to 150 people, with restrictions.

Post-secondary classes can resume in-person and the work from home order is lifted.

“Stage 2 will be a big step forward,” said Kenney. “Things we really start to look and feel normal again once we reach this stage.”

STAGE 2

• Outdoor social gatherings increase to 20 people, with distancing.
• Wedding ceremonies may occur with up to 20 attendees. Receptions are permitted outdoors only.
• Funeral ceremonies remain unchanged with up to 20 people permitted, not including facility staff, funeral clergy or organizers not considered guests. Receptions are permitted outdoors only.
• Restaurants may seat tables with up to six people, indoors or outdoors.
  • Dining parties are no longer restricted to households only.
  • Physical distancing and other restrictions still apply.
• Retail capacity increases to one-third of fire code occupancy (must maintain ability to distance).
• Capacity for places of worship increases to one-third of fire code occupancy.
• Gyms and other indoor fitness open for solo and drop-in activities with three-metre distancing between participants and fitness classes may resume with three-metre distancing.
• Indoor settings may open with up to one-third of fire code occupancy, including indoor recreation centres. This includes arenas, cinemas, theatres, museums, art galleries and libraries.
• Indoor and outdoor youth and adult sports resume with no restrictions.
• Youth activities, such as day camps and play centres, may resume, with restrictions.
• Personal and wellness services can resume walk-in services.
• Post-secondary institutions can resume in-person learning.
• The work-from-home order is lifted but still recommended.
• Outdoor fixed seating facilities (e.g., grandstands) can open with one-third seated capacity.
• Public outdoor gatherings increase to 150 people (e.g. concerts/festivals), with restrictions.
• Distancing and masking requirements remain in effect.

Stage 3 will begin two weeks after 70 per cent of eligible Albertans have been vaccinated with at least one dose. There is no hospitalization benchmark for this stage.

It’s anticipated Alberta will move to Stage 3 in early July.

STAGE 3

• All restrictions are lifted, including the ban on indoor social gatherings.
• Isolation requirements for confirmed cases of COVID-19 and some protective measures in continuing care settings remain.

Reaching Stage 3 in early July would give a green light to a full Calgary Stampede that month.

NDP leader Rachel Notley questioned that timing.

“I know many people are looking forward to a time without restrictions, without masks, and without the stresses of the pandemic weighing on all of us. I am one of those people,” said Notley. “But I am concerned about the pace of this reopening plan, given that we had the highest rate of infection of anywhere in Canada or the U.S. earlier this very month. I have questions about how the premier decided on this pace, and whether it was informed by science, or simply by working backwards from the first day of the Calgary Stampede.”

Kenney said the success of the plan rests with Albertans.

“If you don’t like the current restrictions, and who does, the best thing you can do to end them is to get vaccinated,” he said.

Alberta is also extended the application time for the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant and is adding an additional $10,000 payment. The province is also extending the hotel tourism levy abatement to the end of June.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro said Albertans have faced waves and bent curves together but “today is truly different this time around” because of vaccines.

He said the plan announced today is based on facts and statistics they have seen play out all around the world.

“But make no mistake, this is a plan that is tailor-made for us here in Alberta

The regular update of COVID-19 numbers in Alberta is expected this afternoon at about 3:30 p.m.