The private sector will have to pay for its own personal protective gear (PPE) and will have to purchase it independently of the province after June 30.
On Monday, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said the provincial distribution of PPE will be changing.
Hinshaw said it is easier now to get these products on the global market and businesses and organizations have more options.
“I would like to pre-emptively address any fear Alberta is running out of PPE. We are not. However, as we continue to move forward with (the) relaunch, it is important to have a long-term plan. That said, this approach will be flexible. If there is an emergency short-term issue, such as a threat to food security, an organization can request PPE through the government and such requests would be considered on a case-by-case assessment through the provincial operations centre,” Hinshaw said.
Alberta’s top doctor said private organization will still be able to access PPE through the government until June 30, but will need to pay a fair market price for it. After that date, they will need to get their products from their own suppliers.
(Below: Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, demonstrates how to use a non-medical mask.)
Hinshaw said publicly funded or contracted settings will still have PPE at no extra cost and the province is continuing to prioritize PPE for those at highest risk of contracting COVID-19.
There will be no changes in the provincial PPE supply for hospitals and clinics operated by Alberta Health Services, continuing care facilities, supportive living facilities and home care services which are operated, contracted or funded by Alberta Health Services, publicly funded lodges, mental health lodging, residential addiction treatment facilities, shelter operators and police, fire and emergency medical services.
N-95 masks will be provided at a fee for dentists for emergency procedures only and to morticians for embalming for the duration of the global N-95 mask shortages.
These requests will be managed through the professional associations.
While the government is rolling back access for businesses, Hinshaw said Premier Jason Kenney plans to stick with his promise to deliver masks for public use.
“This announcement does not change the Premier's promise to distribute non-medical masks to the public. More information on that will be coming on that soon,” Hinshaw said.
