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Alberta won’t ‘micromanage’ businesses as COVID-19 infections climb: Kenney

Sep 9, 2020 | 2:27 PM

ENOCH, Alta. – Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says a recent rise in active COVID-19 cases in the province is concerning but government micromanaging isn’t the answer to curbing the spread.

Kenney says Alberta has the right set of public health measures in place and his government wants to avoid jerking business owners around with added restrictions.

His remarks come a day after British Columbia’s top doctor ordered new restrictions on establishments that serve alcohol in response to a spike in cases there linked to those venues.

Those restrictions include shutting down nightclubs and banquet halls, earlier closures at bars and restaurants and sound limits so patrons don’t need to speak loudly.

B.C. had 1,386 active COVID-19 cases out of a population of 5.1 million as of Tuesday, while Alberta reported 1,692 active cases out of a population of 4.4 million in its most recent update.

Kenney says Alberta should be proud that it has among the least restrictive public health measures in North America, while keeping novel coronavirus deaths and hospitalizations low.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Sept. 9, 2020.

The Canadian Press