By Troy Gillard

other reoppenings delayed

Alberta eases restrictions for libraries, indoor fitness centres

Mar 1, 2021 | 5:16 PM

Some public health measures have been eased effective today in Alberta as the province “safely and cautiously” enters step two of its path forward.

“Today’s announcement that we’re moving into step two is another safe, another smart step forward for our province,” said Health Minister Tyler Shandro.

Libraries can open at 15 per cent of fire code capacity, not including staff.

Low-intensity individual and group fitness activities (pilates, tai chi and indoor climbing) will now be allowed indoors for adults.

Shandro said high-intensity activities such as running on a treadmill are still only allowed on a one-on-one basis with a trainer or for a household and one trainer.

Last seen March 31

Missing: Eugenie Headman, 66, of Maskwacis

15h ago

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

Rules on face masks and maintaining a distance of two metres remain in place.

Drop-in fitness is still not permitted.

Shandro said the province relied on recommendations from the fitness centre to make the recommendations, including how low-intensity was defined.

Full details on indoor fitness restrictions can be found below.

Other easing of measures that were being considered for Step 2 have been delayed to Step 3, for now. That includes restrictions on hotels, conferences, and banquet centres, retail and children’s sports and performances. Shandro said these measures could be moved ahead if numbers trend in a positive direction.

“We’re being cautious while still moving ahead,” said Shandro. “While these changes are positive we can’t lose sight of the fact that further easing of measures opens up the chance of spreading COVID.”

He added the COVID-19 variants in Alberta forces the province to be even more vigilant even as measures are eased.

The variants of concern are estimated to 30 to 50 per cent more infectious than the current strain.

“We’re watching the leading indicators very carefully and we’re fully prepared to reinstate measures as needed if trends in daily cases shift,” said Shandro.

He added they’ll wait at least three weeks before a decision on moving forward with Step 3 is made.

Premier Jason Kenney said COVID-19 still poses a threat to the health-care system and stressed the importance of avoiding indoor social gatherings.

“I know that many Albertans want us to relax many more health measures today but we cannot and we must not allow exponential growth to start to take hold, driven by these new more contagious variants,” he said.

Kenney said the game-changer is the vaccine and expressed his frustration and said it’s unacceptable that Canada ranks 40th in the world for per capita inoculation.

“We renew our urgent call on the federal government to catch up with the rest of the world in vaccine procurement,” he said.

Individual and group fitness activities are permitted, with restrictions

All indoor fitness must be must be scheduled or by appointment – no drop-ins allowed.

Low intensity individual and group exercises are now allowed without a trainer.

Low intensity fitness includes activities not focused specifically on cardio, that have a low depth and rate of respiration.

Examples include: barre, pilates, stretching, tai-chi, low intensity yoga (e.g. hatha, yin), light weightlifting, indoor rock climbing.

High intensity activities are permitted for one-on-one or one-on-one household training only, with a trainer.

High intensity fitness is often focused on cardiovascular activities that have a high depth and rate of respiration.

Examples include: bodybuilding/heavy weightlifting, aerobics, rowing, Zumba, bootcamp, circuit training, cross fit, dance fitness, high intensity interval training, kickboxing, spin, power yoga, swimming etc.

• Gym, studio, and fitness centre operators should use their best judgement in identifying what category their group exercise classes fall into based on these examples.
• Safety requirements:

One-on-one sessions cannot interact with others and there must be a minimum of 3 metres distance between pairs of trainers and clients (aka sessions) in the same facility.

• Trainers must be professional, certified and/or paid trainers who are providing active instruction and correction. Passive supervision of a physical activity is not considered training.
• Trainers must remain masked during the session. Clients are not required to wear a mask while doing high intensity exercise.
• Regardless of the type or intensity of exercise, trainers and clients must be separated by 3 metres at all times.

More than one trainer and client ‘pair’ are allowed into the facility, studio, rink, court, pool, ice surface, etc. with restrictions:

• Each trainer and client pair must stay 3 metres away from all other trainers and clients at all times, including in entryways and exits.
• Each trainer can only interact with their assigned client, and each client can only interact with their assigned trainer.
• No interaction between clients or between trainers is allowed.

No ‘cycling through’ multiple trainers as in circuit training.

(With file from Chris Brown – CHAT News Today)