Alberta is preparing for an economic relaunch, with parts of the province set to reopen over the weekend.
Premier Jason Kenney announced Thursday (April 30) that the province is in the early stages of preparing for the overall economic recovery of the province from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It feels like a lot more than 56 days since the first presumptive case of the novel coronavirus was reported here in Alberta,” Kenney said. “Together Albertans have responded to the worst global pandemic in over a century with a great deal of common sense but also making tremendous sacrifices and demonstrating great resilience.”
The relaunch has been made possible, Kenney said, because Albertans have been diligent in following public health measures and advice to help limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus— because of this the province can now take steps to incrementally reopen some businesses and services.
The current rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions has fallen well below numbers predicted by Alberta Health Services’ modelling, Kenney said, allowing the province to shift its focus to the future with cautious optimism. These numbers will be closely watched to inform restrictions that can be lifted during the relaunch.
Kenney said the relaunch will take place in a carefully controlled and staged response, but cautioned that it will be many months before Albertans can return to a sense of normalcy.
“I won’t sugar coat reality – the truth is we still face the most severe economic conditions since the Great Depression of the 1930s, and it will take heroic effort and determination to get Alberta working and growing again,” Kenney said.
Preliminary steps will be taken under the careful and ongoing monitoring of guidelines outlined by Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
These preliminary steps will see the reopening of areas including some outdoor recreation spaces, some Alberta Health Services elective surgeries, some allied health services and religious services as early as May 4.
Steps are being taken to make campsites available as soon as possible, with the goal to have as many as possible open by June 1. Sites will only be open to Albertans at this time. Alberta Parks’ online reservation system will be made available on May 14 to book trips beginning on June 1.
Golf Courses can open on May 4, however, clubhouses and pro shops with remain closed.
If success is found in the early stages of the relaunch the province can transition to Stage One once health measures are achieved to the satisfaction based on the advice of Hinshaw. This could take place as early as May 14.
To move to Stage One of the Alberta economic relaunch several safeguards will be put in place, Kenney said. These include enhancing testing capacity, pushing robust and comprehensive contact tracing of the virus, support for those who test positive so they can practice isolation and contain the spread, stronger international border controls and airport screenings, rules and guidelines for the use of personal protective equipment in public spaces and keeping strong protections in place for those in long-term care, continuing care and seniors lodges.
Stage One will include the reopening of retail services, hairstyling and barbering, daycares, restaurants, cafes and bars with a 50 per cent occupancy limit, museums, art galleries, additional outdoor recreation and allied health services.
The use of masks will be strongly encouraged in spaces that do not allow for physical distancing.
Gatherings of more than 15 people will not be allowed during Stage One of the relaunch.
Industry-specific guidelines for reopening will be made available as the province moves towards the launch of Stage One, Kenney said.
The timing of Stage Two will be dependent on the success of Stage One and take into account the capacity of the health-care system to treat COVID-19 patients.
Stage Two will include the reopening of personal services, massage, reflexology, summer camps with limited occupancy, post-secondary institutions with the delivery of classes online, in-person or a blend with restrictions, potential kindergarten to Grade 12 schools with restrictions, movie theatres with restrictions and additional elective surgeries.
Stage Three will include the reopening of swimming pools, gyms, arenas, nightclubs, industry conferences, festivals and major sporting events with restrictions.
In the case of COVID-19 outbreaks, a rapid response plan has been put in place where close contacts will be traced and isolated to stop the spread of the virus and testing will be available to those in an affected area.
The need for physical distancing will remain in place through all stages of the relaunch and good hygiene practices will continue to be essential. Any Albertans that display COVID-19 symptoms including cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat or shortness of breath will be required to isolate and get tested.
Kenney warned that the overall plan to reopen the Alberta economy will change and evolve based on the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions. If the province experiences a large spike of cases restrictions could be increased, he noted, but restrictions may also be eased if numbers are low.
“The successes of our relaunch depends on each of us looking out for ourselves and our health system,” Kenney said. “In doing so we’re also taking care of each other.”
Here's the info in bullet form:
Early Action
May 4:
- Alberta Health Services to resume some scheduled, non-urgent surgeries
- Dentists, physiotherapists, speech language pathologists, respiratory therapists, audiologists, social workers, occupational therapists and dieticians allowed to offer services. Must abide by guidelines set out by their professional groups.
- Golf courses to reopen. Clubhouses and pro shops to remain closed.
- Government working to make as many campsites as possible available by June 1. Online reservations to begin May 14. Group and comfort camping not allowed. Access restrictions to campground showers, picnic and cooking shelters.
First Phase
May 14:
- Retail businesses, such as clothing, furniture and bookstores, to reopen gradually.
- Vendors at farmers markets to be allowed to operate.
- Personal services such as hairstyling and barber shops to open doors, as well as museums and art galleries.
- Daycares and out-of-school care to operate with limits on occupancy.
- Summer camps with limits on occupancy. Could include summer school.
- Cafes, restaurants with no bar service to reopen at half capacity.
- Not permitted in first phase: Gatherings of more than 15 people, arts and culture festivals, major sporting events, and concerts. Movie theatres, theatres, pools, recreation centres, arenas, spas, gyms and nightclubs to remain closed. Schools to remain closed.
Non-essential travel, especially outside the province, not recommended. Remote working is advised where possible.
Second Phase:
Timing to be determined by success of previous stage, capacity of the health-care system and contained or reduced rate of infections, hospitalizations and ICU cases.
- Potential kindergarten to Grade 12 classes, with restrictions.
- Personal services such as artificial tanning, esthetics, cosmetic skin and body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, facial treatments, massage and reflexology.
- Larger gatherings in some situations.
- Movie theatres and theatres with restrictions.
- Visitors to patients at health-care facilities will continue to be limited.
- Third Phase
Timing to be determined by success of earlier stages.
- Fully reopening all businesses and services with limited restrictions.
- Larger gatherings permitted (number of people to be determined).
- Revival of arts and culture festivals, concerts and major sporting events with some restrictions.
- Nightclubs, gyms, pools, recreation centres and arenas to reopen with restrictions.
- Resuming industry conferences with restrictions.
- No restrictions on non-essential travel
With files from Canadian Press
