Alberta Enters Step 1 of Re-opening
With all of Alberta in a cold snap that will last through most of the week there is a bit of news to celebrate. As part of Step 1 of the path forward, restriction changes came into effect this morning that include restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes reopening for in-person dining with restrictions, school and team sport activities with restrictions and indoor fitness allowed with certain requirements.
Federal Procurement Minister Anita Anand has said that temporary vaccine delays are largely behind us and we can expect to see a steep incline in vaccine rollout beginning February 15.
As of February 7, Alberta has 6,242 active cases of COVID-19, with 351 new cases, 434 in hospital, 81 in intensive care and 1,709 deaths.
Below you’ll find a recap of other government announcements and Orders in Council passed since our last edition.
Government of Alberta Announcements
- Changing slightly from the school only rules previously announced, starting today children and youth will be allowed to participate in lessons, practices and conditioning activities for indoor and outdoor team-based minor sports and athletics. All games continue to be prohibited.
- Minister of Health Tyler Shandro and Alberta Medical Association (AMA) President Paul Boucher issued a statement saying that the government and AMA will work together to deploy vaccines including at family doctors offices.
- The grand opening of an affordable housing complex in Morinville was marked by the provincial and federal governments that jointly contributed $10 million towards the project.
- A new initiative with $714,000 over two years at the University of Alberta will help veterans get the education they need to transition to other careers.
- New businesses and unregistered sole proprietors can now apply for Alberta’s small business relaunch grant as previously announced in January.
- Alberta’s government is providing $68.5 million to protect vulnerable Albertans and staff in continuing care and residential addiction and mental health treatment facilities, as well as home care clients pay for increased staffing, additional cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment.
- All Albertans are now eligible to receive self-isolation supports of a free-of-charge hotel room stay for up to 14 days and a $625 payment upon completion of isolation.
Orders in Council
OC 40/2021: Makes the Fuel Tax Amendment Regulation with minor changes cleaning up language in the regulation.
OC 41/2021: Makes the Tobacco Tax Amendment Regulation removing mention of tear tape throughout the regulation along with other minor changes.
OC 42/2021: Proclaims February 6 of each year as the Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation in Alberta.
