By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer
Libraries can re-open and some restrictions have been eased on indoor fitness facilities as Alberta moves to Step 2 in its four-step plan to ease health restrictions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
On March 1, the provincial government announced Alberta will move cautiously to Step 2 while maintaining strong measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 provincewide.
Effective immediately, updated health measures are in place for indoor fitness and libraries as pressure eases on the health system and hospitalizations remain well below 450.
Health officials continue to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19. As a cautionary measure, changes to current restrictions for retail, children’s sports, and hotels, banquets, community halls and conference centres have been delayed until Step 3.
“We’ve made progress and it is more important than ever that we continue our collective efforts to abide by health measures and prevent cases from rising. Our everyday choices matter and we must remain vigilant and keep wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and staying home when we feel ill,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health of Alberta.
Indoor masking and distancing requirements will remain in place throughout this stepped approach, and some degree of restrictions will still apply to all activities within each step.
Libraries
These facilities can now open but must limit capacity to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy, not including staff.
Indoor fitness (no change to outdoor fitness)
Unsupervised low intensity individual and group exercises are now allowed by appointment only.
Mandatory physical distance of three metres is required between participants, including coaches and trainers, at all times, and masks must be worn at all times by trainers and those participating in low-intensity activities.
All indoor fitness must be pre-registered – no drop-ins allowed.
Low-intensity exercises include weightlifting, low-intensity dance classes, yoga, barre and indoor climbing, as well as the low-intensity use of treadmills, ellipticals and related equipment are allowed.
High-intensity activities, including running, spin and high-intensity interval training, continue to be allowed only on a one-on-one with a trainer basis, or training with a household and one trainer.
Additional details on the current restrictions is outlined on alberta.ca.
A decision on Step 3 will be made after at least three weeks of evaluation to assess the spread of COVID-19. Metrics based on cases and growth, including variant cases, are being monitored and will also be used to guide any decisions around the need to pause further steps or potentially increase restrictions.