(Photo: Government of Alberta)

By Troy Gillard

BREAKING

Business closures, mask mandate among Alberta’s new COVID-19 restrictions

Dec 8, 2020 | 4:36 PM

The Alberta government has announced a series of tough new measures aimed at curbing the steep rise in COVID-19 cases in the province.

Chief among the measures are a mandatory province-wide mask wearing requirement and a ban on all public and private outdoor and indoor social gatherings that take effect immediately.

Premier Jason Kenney says the new restrictions are necessary “to protect our health-care system and save lives.”

Starting this Sunday, all casinos and gyms must close, dine-in service at restaurants and bars is banned, and mandatory work-at-home measures take effect.

Indoor and outdoor social close contact is now limited to those in the same household. People who live alone may still have up to two non-household close contacts.

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The ban on gatherings includes those in indoor workplaces, such as lunchrooms. In-person attendance at workplace meetings is limited to the greatest extent possible and physical distancing should be followed.

The mandatory province-wide indoor public masking requirement includes locations where a business or entity operates and is applicable to employees, visitors and the general public. It also applies to all indoor workplaces and facilities outside the home. Farm operations as well as rental accommodations used solely for the purposes of a private residence are excluded.

Measures taking effect starting at midnight this Sunday (Dec. 13) include the closure of all:

– Restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes. Service will be limited to takeout, curbside pickup and delivery services.

– Casinos, bingo halls, gaming entertainment centres, racing entertainment centres, horse tracks, raceways, bowling alleys, pool halls, legions and private clubs.

– Recreational facilities such as fitness centres, recreation centres, pools, spas, gyms, studios, camps, indoor rinks and arenas.

– Libraries, science centres, interpretive centres, museums, galleries, amusement parks and water parks.

– Businesses offering personal and wellness services such as hair salons, nail salons, tattoo parlours and massage businesses.

Retail businesses will be permitted to remain open at 15 per cent of the occupancy allowed under the fire code. Curbside pickup, delivery and online services are encouraged. Shopping malls will be limited to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy.

This 15 per cent occupancy restriction also applies to places of worship. Virtual or online services are strongly encouraged. Drive-in services where individuals do not leave their vehicles and adhere to guidance will be permissible and are not subject to capacity restrictions. Mandatory mask mandate, physical distancing and other guidelines remain in place.

Funerals and wedding ceremonies are limited to 10 people.

Health services, including physiotherapy or acupuncture, social or protective services, shelters for vulnerable persons, emergency services, child care, and not-for-profit community kitchens or charitable kitchens will remain open for in-person attendance.

Hotels may remain open but must follow restrictions – no spas, pools or in-person dining. Room services only.

Outdoor recreation is permitted, but facilities with indoor spaces except for washrooms will be closed.

The mandatory restrictions will be in place for at least four weeks.

Kenney says the rising cases of COVID-19 are not only leading to direct stresses within the health system but indirect ones as well with surgeries now being postponed risking the lives of thousands of Albertans.

“That is not an opinion. That is a fact,” said Kenney.

The premier pleaded with Albertans not to have large family gatherings over Christmas saying if that happens, “we will without a shadow of a doubt see a large increase in hospitalizations and fatalities.

“We simply cannot let this Christmas turn into a tragedy,” he urged.

“With the promise of a vaccine early in 2021, we can see the end of this terrible time. But all Albertans must take this more seriously than ever by staying home whenever possible, and following these new measures.”