On Tuesday afternoon, Premier Jason Kenney was joined by Health Minister Tyler Shandro, and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw in a much-anticipated news conference to announce new measures surrounding the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta.

The announcement comes following the large increase in cases over the last several weeks, which has put a strain on provincial contact tracing personnel, and made Alberta the highest province in the country for active cases.

Premier Kenney opened the conference, announcing that Alberta is again under a state of public health emergency, and outlining several new measures.

 

The following measures are being applied province-wide:

Effective immediately, indoor social gatherings in any setting are prohibited, with a 10-person capacity on outdoor social gatherings, including weddings and funerals. This will be enforced by ticketed fines of up to $1000, with fines of up to $100,000 through the court system.

Indoor activities will be limited to single households, or with two non-household contacts for those who live alone.

In all Alberta schools, grades 7-12 students will transition to at-home learning starting on November 30th.

K-6 students will continue in-school learning until December 18th, when winter break will start for K-12 students.

All students will return to at-home learning following winter break, to return to in-person classes starting on January 11th, 2021.

Diploma exams are optional for the remainder of the school year.

 

Kenney also announced numerous targetted measures for social gatherings, businesses, and other gathering spaces, which will apply only to regions under enhanced status.

Effective immediately, masks will be required for indoor workplaces in Calgary, Edmonton, and surrounding areas. This includes employees, delivery personnel, and visitors.

Businesses are encouraged to allow any workers who can work from home to do so.

Places of worship are now limited to 1/3 of their in-person capacity, with maximum social distancing between households, with masks now being mandatory.

Effective on Friday, banquet halls, conference centers, concert venues, trade shows, and community centres must close for in-person services. All levels of sport are included in this category, though leagues may apply for exemptions.

Retail businesses can remain open but are restricted to 25% capacity. Pubs and cafes can remain open, though they must adhere to health guidelines.

These include a limit of six people per-table from the same household (the two non-household contacts for people who live alone also applies,) with only seated eating and drinking permitted. Other services such as games and bar service are prohibited.

The continued use of takeout and delivery services is encouraged.

Some businesses will be open by appointment only, and will not be permitted to offer walk-in services. These include salons, barbershops, and tattoo & piercing services.

According to the province's website, the new mandatory restrictions will be in place for at least three weeks and could be extended further if needed.

 

Dr. Deena Hinshaw also provided the latest COVID-19 numbers:

1115 new cases were identified after around 13,5000 tests.

348 people are being treated in hospital, 66 of whom are in intensive care.

16 additional fatalities were reported, with the total now sitting at 492.

The province's geospatial data by municipality show 63 cases in the Town of Okotoks, with 17 in High River, and 103 in Vulcan.

Their geographical data shows 35 active cases in the Black Diamond/Turner Valley region, with 5 in Claresholm.

A detailed breakdown of the new measures can be viewed here.

To watch the conference, click here.

 

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