Alberta Premier Jason Kenney (CPAC live stream)

By Troy Gillard

Phase one going ahead

Alberta’s relaunch to begin Thursday

May 13, 2020 | 4:10 PM

The countdown is on to the start of Alberta’s relaunch.

Premier Jason Kenney made the announcement this afternoon that the province will move to Stage 1 of reopening its economy on Thursday.

All categories mentioned in the government’s relaunch plan announced on April 30 can go ahead in most of the province. This includes clothing, furniture and bookstores, museums and art galleries, and daycares and out-of-school care operations with limits on occupancy. Places of worship can also reopen with strict guidelines.

Some openings will be slightly delayed in Calgary and Brooks. The two cities account for three-quarters of the total COVID-19 cases in the province.

Restaurants, bars, hair salons and barbershops in those cities can’t open until May 25. Summer camps, summer schools and in-person post-secondary classes will not be allowed to take place until June 1.

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Kenney said the curve has “successfully been flattened in most of Alberta. We must however remain careful. We must continue to take all the small daily precautions to keep the spread of the infection low and to protect the most vulnerable amongst us.”

Kenney said a gradual regional approach will be taken, based on the advice of public health officials. He noted that phase two of the relaunch plan will begin no earlier than June 19.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, echoed Kenney in thanking Albertans for doing their part to slow the spread of the virus.

“Thank you for the sacrifices you have made, ones that only a few short weeks ago would have seemed unimaginable,” she said. “Albertans have responded to this unprecedented challenge with compassion and grace.”

She said Albertans should take a moment to think about what we have collectively achieved and feel proud for looking out for each other.

“By following public health guidance, practising physical distancing, washing our hands regularly and staying home when sick, every single one of us has helped to save lives.”

Workplace guidance and supports for business owners and operators are available at the Alberta Biz Connect website.

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• With increased infection prevention and control measures to minimize the risk of increased transmission of infections, some businesses and facilities can start to resume operations on May 14 in all areas except the cities of Calgary and Brooks:
  • Retail businesses, such as clothing, furniture and bookstores. All vendors at farmers markets will also be able to operate.
  • Museums and art galleries.
  • Daycares and out-of-school care with limits on occupancy.
  • Hairstyling and barbershops.
  • Cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars will be permitted to reopen for table service only at 50 per cent capacity.
  • Day camps, including summer school, will be permitted with limits on occupancy.
  • Post-secondary institutions will continue to deliver courses; however, there will be more flexibility to include in-person delivery once the existing health order prohibiting in-person classes is lifted.
  • Places of worship and funeral services, if they follow specific guidance already online.
  • The resumption of some scheduled, non-urgent surgeries will continue gradually.
  • Regulated health professions are permitted to offer services as long as they continue to follow approved guidelines set by their professional colleges.
  • In Calgary and Brooks, the relaunch will be gradual over 18 days due to higher COVID-19 case numbers in these communities.

(With file from Chris Brown, CHAT News Today)