By Shane Clausing

COVID RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT

New COVID-19 restrictions now in effect across Alberta

Dec 13, 2020 | 5:00 AM

As of December 13, the Province of Alberta has implemented new COVID-19 restrictions for the entire province.

The following restrictions will be in effect for a minimum of four weeks:

• All casinos and gyms must close.
• Restaurants and bars will be allowed to remain open for takeout service only, dine-in service is banned.
• Businesses that offer personal and wellness services such as hair salons, nail salons, tattoo parlours and massages will be forced to close.
• Entertainment and indoor recreation facilities must close.
• Retail capacity will be allowed to remain open at 15% capacity.
• Places of worship will be capped at 15% capacity. The province is recommending that places of worship move their services to either virtual or operate as a drive-in to reduce any close contact.
• Facilities such as outdoor rinks and indoor ski-hills can remain open if public health measures are followed.
• All workplaces must have their staff work from home, unless the employer requires an employee to be in the workplace for operational effectiveness. This was previously a recommendation and is now a legal requirement.

A mandatory, province wide face coverings and mask bylaw is also in place for the entire province in all indoor public settings, places of worship and workplaces. Farm operations are exempt.

A ban on all indoor and social gatherings is also in place. Individuals must keep to members in their household, unless they live alone, where two non-household contacts will be permitted.

All Elementary schools across the province will remain open until the Christmas break begins on December 18. Students can return to the classroom on January 11.

Junior High and High School students will remain participating in online classes until December 18. They will also be allowed to return to the classroom on January 11.

With the drastic rise in COVID-19 cases, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw says that taken these measures were necessary and it’s time for us to come together and slow the spread.

“I know that we all want to move to a time where restrictions are not necessary and our health system is not at risk. The quickest path to getting there is embracing these restrictions for at least the next four weeks. I know it is hard, but I ask you to be patient and keep going.”

“We need to go above and beyond to keep ourselves, our families and communities safe. It is going to take each and every one of us doing everything we can to bend the curve and reduce the strain on our health care system.”

“I know the vast majority have worked incredibly hard to protect each other. Today we are asking you to do even more and while that may feel overwhelming, that’s what needs to be done. There is no other option, but we’re all in this together and we will all get through this together.”