EDMONTON — Albertans who get fully vaccinated with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine now have a chance to win vacation packages and other travel prizes from WestJet and Air Canada.
The government says in a news release that 40 travel-related prizes have been added to its "Open for Summer" lottery.
They include weeklong stays at all-inclusive luxury resorts and flights across Canada and abroad.
The lottery already includes three $1-million cash awards with proof of vaccination.
About 69 per cent of Albertans who are eligible have had at least one shot.
Once 70 per cent is reached, and vaccines have two weeks to take full effect, the province plans to lift all but a handful of public health restrictions — essentially returning to its pre-COVID state.
"Alberta's government is doing everything it can to encourage Albertans to get vaccinated so we can put this pandemic behind us," Premier Jason Kenney said in a news release Wednesday.
"We want Albertans to get their vaccines as soon as possible so we can fully open for summer and open for good."
Manitoba has also announced a vaccine lottery for $100,000 cash prizes and $25,000 youth scholarships.
Alberta also announced it is opening a temporary clinic at a southwest Edmonton mosque to get more people vaccinated. The province said up to 1,200 Albertans can receive a first dose of an mRNA vaccine at the clinic that is to run Friday through Sunday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2021.
The Canadian Press
