Photo Credit: Government of Alberta

By Shane Clausing

Holiday Planning

Hinshaw encourages Albertans to “prepare for a much different holiday season”

Dec 1, 2020 | 5:57 PM

As the calendar hits December 1, for most Albertans the countdown to the holidays begins.

While the holidays are nearing closer, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, stressed that the holidays will look different this year.

“December is when we typically spend time with family, friends and colleagues. It’s been a long hard year and I know how important these holidays are to Albertans.

“But in a year that is anything but typical, how we celebrate won’t be typical either.”

During her Tuesday COVID-19 update, Hinshaw said that as badly as everyone wants to celebrate, holidays and celebrations in the past have been proven to lead to a rise in cases, which is why we all need to be careful.

“We have seen holiday gatherings lead to increases in cases and outbreaks as one case, spreads to many. For example, Thanksgiving gatherings were an accelerator of spread and the impact is still being felt,” said Hinshaw. “The bottom line is that it only takes one person to start an outbreak. The higher the rate of community transmission, the more risky these gatherings can be and our transmission is higher than ever before.”

She adds it remains unknown exactly what public health restrictions will be in place during the last week of December. Hinshaw said the Provincial Cabinet’s emergency response committee will be making those decisions later this month.

In the meantime, she is encouraging Albertans to think of creative ways to celebrate the holidays safely.

“This is not going to be the year for in-person office parties, open houses, or large dinners with friends and extended family. If you’re making holiday plans, it is best to assume that you will still be limiting contact with anyone outside your household as much as possible.”

“This will be the year for getting together remotely, or having small outdoor activities where everyone can keep their distance. Celebrating virtually or with members of your own household pose the lowest risk for spread.”

While Hinshaw said that we should assume that restrictions will still be in place come the end of December, what Albertans do right now will determine the future will look like.

“The action we take now and over the coming weeks will determine how the virus is spreading when the holidays arrive. We all have the power to collectively bend the curve and it will take all of us to do so.”