Alberta Premier Jason Kenney (Canadian Press)

By Canadian Press

Vaccine Passports - announcement at 5 p.m.

Alberta premier set to announce timeline to reduce COVID-19 health restrictions

Feb 8, 2022 | 12:29 PM

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he will announce later today a plan to reduce COVID-19 health restrictions.

Kenney says it will be a prudent timeline to lift the rules provided pressure on hospitals continues to decline.

The premier announced last week that such a plan was coming and that the first step would be ending Alberta’s vaccine passports to access non-essential businesses such as restaurants and bars.

The passport, known as a restriction exemption in the province, has become the symbol of the clash in Alberta on where the line should be between public health orders and individual rights and freedoms.

Opposition Leader Rachel Notley says Kenney needs to show the scientific data to support ending the decision and says without it, he appears to be prematurely ending health restrictions to pander to hardliners in his party and caucus.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 8, 2022.