By Troy Gillard

in it together

Dr. Hinshaw says ‘common sense’ needed as relaunch nears

May 12, 2020 | 4:38 PM

With the province set to begin reopening businesses on Thursday, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health says it’s a two-way street when it comes to ensuring everyone’s safety as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

“Customers and business operators are both responsible for being safe and using common sense,” Dr. Deena Hinshaw said during her daily briefing on Tuesday.

“As we move into our relaunch, I encourage all Albertans to help re-enforce these new social norms with each other. Once we reopen, we ant to stay open. And we want businesses to be successful and Albertans to stay safe.”

Hinshaw told reporters she expects the province to announce a decision on Wednesday regarding whether Alberta will move forward with Phase 1 of a proposed relaunch of the economy this Thursday (May 14).

She noted health officials and cabinet members would be meeting Tuesday night to discuss the latest figures on how the pandemic is playing out in Alberta and that a final decision has yet to be made.

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“Be patient, because we need to make sure we have the most up to date information,” Hinshaw said. “Once we reopen, we want to stay open.”

Hinshaw also touched on the idea of ‘cohort’ on Tuesday, saying she understands the desire but that “limiting the number of people you come in close contact with is the best way to limit the possibility of spread.”

Hinshaw added, “Expanding your cohort to a very small group of people can work, but you need to follow all guidance and ensure that everyone is committed to only being a cohort with each other.”

She also reiterated that proper hand washing, physical distancing and other measures in order to make the relaunch successful.

Hinshaw acknowledged the Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services teams who are working tirelessly on the response to the virus.

“Their efforts have been vital to our ability to prevent spread of this virus and address immediate concerns in outbreak situations,” she said.

She added the work of primary cares and newcomer organizations has been wide-ranging and incredibly important and they are “providing essential on-the-ground public health guidance to operators and employers.”

Hinshaw gave more information about the workplace guidance documents released on Tuesday.

“These guidelines are applicable to all settings, whether it is a shopping mall, retail business or a specific sector,” she said. “Businesses can work through these guidelines and make decisions about how to apply the guidance to their specific setting.”

More specific guidelines will continue to be drafted on a sector-specific basis.

Among previously known outbreaks, there are 25 active cases at High River’s Cargill facility and 920 recovered, and the Harmony plant has 12 active cases and 28 recovered.

There are 105 active cases at continuing care facilities in Alberta and 557 recovered cases.

(With file from Chris Brown, CHAT News Today)

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