By Troy Gillard

Calgary & Brooks still waiting

Hinshaw says gradual openings in COVID-19 hotspots are necessary

May 14, 2020 | 5:34 PM

After yesterday’s announcement that Brooks and Calgary will undergo a more gradual relaunch from the COVID-19 pandemic than the rest of the province, Alberta’s chief medical officer said she heard many complaints that the decision is unfair to residents of those cities.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw said during her daily briefing on Thursday, the first day of Stage 1 of Alberta’s relaunch, that the focus is on finding a balance between the health of Albertans from both the effects of COVID-19 and the impacts of a prolonged shutdown.

“If we move too far in either direction, neglecting the other, the outcomes will be worse,” she said. “Our best path is in seeking that balance and making adjustments along the way.”

Hinshaw stressed, “The recommendations I have made are never taken lightly.”

In Stage 1 of Alberta’s relaunch, the government is allowing retail stores, restaurants, hair salons and daycares to open today with restrictions. But people in Calgary and Brooks will have to wait until May 25 for hair cuts or meals out, because cases of COVID infections are higher there.

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The NDP Opposition says government should reimburse businesses in Calgary that have incurred unrecoverable costs from preparing to reopen at the same time as the rest of the province.

“Calgarians have every right to be frustrated and disappointed,” says NDP leader Rachel Notley. “Jason Kenney made this decision with less than a day’s notice. Businesses that raced to get ready to meet the Premier’s date—spending money on inventory, on PPE, on physical barriers, on getting staff lined up—were blindsided. These businesses and their employees deserve better.”

After questions about clarity on which businesses can open in Stage 1, Hinshaw said all businesses that are not specifically named as opening in Stages 2 or 3 are included in Stage 1.

“But let me be clear – businesses starting to reopen does not mean it’s back to normal,” she said, adding the public health recommendations that have been repeated time and time again over the past two months are the “new normal.”

Hinshaw said those businesses that are reopening are required to fill out a form at the Alberta Biz Connect site that details what they are doing to reassure customers and staff that their health is being protected.

She also said a maximum number of people allowed in any retail stores since one number won’t work for every business.

“Retail businesses are responsible for ensuring that their measures … make it as easy as possible for patrons to stay two metres away from others at all times,” she said.

Hinshaw has so far stopped short of making a rule that people must wear masks when out in public, but did encourage the practice.

“We are entering a new world together, and we will succeed by supporting each other through the challenges that relaunch presents.”

(With file from Chris Brown)