EDMONTON — Alberta has introduced legislation to extend existing emergency health and labour rules tied to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health Minister Tyler Shandro says as case numbers fluctuate and new research emerges, long-term rules need to be in place once emergency ministerial orders lapse in August.
Shandro's proposed legislation could extend existing orders, but with sunset clauses that could be in force as late as the end of next year.
The bill proposes changes to 15 acts across seven ministries.
Unpaid, job-protected leave tied to COVID-19 is to last another 14 months for anyone forced to isolate or who must provide care for someone as a direct result of the pandemic.
The bill also looks to extend the maximum time for temporary layoffs related to the health crisis to 180 days from 120.
It seeks to extend border screening measures already announced that require arriving travellers at Calgary and Edmonton airports to be assessed for COVID-19.
It would also keep restrictions on continuing-care centre staff on working in more than one place to prevent possible spread of the novel coronavirus between facilities.
"Bill 24 will ensure that the intent of the ministerial orders put in place to respond to COVID-19 remain for as long as they're needed," Shandro said Thursday.
The legislation would also allow for remote signing and witnessing of estate and care documents through two-way video conferencing.
All current public health orders put in place by Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health, remain in place.
Alberta reported 49 new coronavirus cases on Thursday and one more death.
That brings the number of active cases in the province to 489 with the majority in the Calgary (222) and Edmonton (200) zones. You can see a map of cases in Alberta on the Alberta government website.
The province is well into the second phase of its economic relaunch. Most businesses and public facilities have been given the green light to reopen subject to health restrictions. Restaurants, for example, cannot have more than six diners per table.
Public gatherings remain limited to no more than 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2020
Dean Bennett, The Canadian Press
With files from Great West Newspapers
