The provincial government has mapped out a strategy to re-open Alberta after measures were adopted to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
On April 30, Premier Jason Kenney announced the phased approach, with some measures taking effect at the beginning of the month with most of Stage 1 tentatively scheduled to take effect on May 14, pending the go-ahead from Alberta’s chief medical officer of health.
The current state includes re-openings of:
• outdoor recreation;
• elective surgeries;
• allied health services;
• religious services and funerals, with existing restrictions.
Stage 1
To take effect tentatively on May 14, opening includes:
• some retail services;
• hair-styling and barbering;
• day cares;
• restaurants, cafés and bars – with 50 per cent occupancy limits;
• museums and art galleries;
• additional outdoor recreation;
• additional allied health services.
Progression to Stage 2 will be determined by the success of Stage 1, considering health care system capacity, hospitalization and intensive care unit cases, and infection rates.
Stage 2
Opening includes:
• personal services;
• massage and reflexology;
• summer camps;
• post-secondary institutions delivering online, in-person or a blend of programming with restrictions;
• Potential Kindergarten to Grade 12 schools, with restrictions;
• movie theatres, with restrictions;
• additional elective surgeries.
Stage 3
Stage 3 timing will be determined based on health indicators. Some restrictions and enhanced protection controls will remain in place.
Opening includes:
• swimming pools, gyms, and arenas, with restrictions;
• nightclubs, with restrictions;
• industry conferences, arts and cultural festivals, all with restrictions;
• major sporting events, with restrictions.