STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver (Photo: Government of Alberta)
By EverythingGP Staff
COVID Supports

Province expands self-isolation supports to all Albertans

Feb 1, 2021 | 4:54 PM

All Albertans who are unable to safely quarantine in their own homes due to COVID-19 are now eligible to apply for provincial government support funding of up to $625.

Prior to Monday’s announcement, this program was only available to those in the Edmonton and Calgary Health Zones, the province’s two biggest COVID-19 hotspots, and if they were self-isolating in an assigned hotel.

Now, the one-time payment will be eligible across the province, including Indigenous individuals living on and off-reserve and in Metis Settlements.

Upon referral by Alberta Health Services, Albertans who must isolate or quarantine and cannot do so safely at home are eligible for a free-of-charge hotel room stay for up to 14 days, complete with “culturally appropriate” food and other supports.

“Expanding the isolation supports to include people on First Nations and Metis Settlements is the right thing to do,” said Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Services. “Everyone should have the chance to isolate safely while having the financial support to cover expenses while they recover.”

Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver says this builds on the work of the province’s COVID Care Teams.

“No matter what they earn, what community they live in or what language they speak, all Albertans should be able to isolate safely to protect themselves, their families and their neighbours from COVID-19,” says Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver. “Reducing the spread means we can get Alberta’s economy back on track while we protect both lives and livelihoods.”

Since the launch of the COVID Care Teams and outreach campaign on December 15, more than 850 people have accessed this resource.

by EverythingGP Staff