As a result of a sharp decline in hospital admissions and patients in intensive care units with COVID-19, the Government of Alberta has moved to Step 2 of their plan to ease COVID-19 related public health measures. We outlined the Government of Alberta's staged plan to ease public health measures, referred to as "A Path Forward", in a previous blog.

In moving to Step 2, the following restrictions have been eased:

  • libraries may open with a maximum capacity of 15% fire code occupancy (not including staff); and
  • low intensity individual and group fitness activities, such as barre, pilates, stretching, tai-chi, low intensity yoga, light weightlifting, and indoor rock climbing, may resume but must be scheduled or booked by appointment. High intensity exercise remains restricted except where performed with a one-on-one training with a trainer.

The potential easing of restrictions related to retail, hotels, banquets, conference centres and community halls has been delayed at this time on the basis of increased positivity rates active COVID-19 cases. The easing of restrictions in those areas may occur at a later point during Step 2.

The Government will wait at least 3 weeks before moving forward with Step 3. Step 3 has a benchmark of less than 300 hospitalizations and is anticipated to ease restrictions in the following areas:

  • adult team sports;
  • banquet halls, community halls, conference centres and hotels;
  • casinos, racing centres and bingo halls;
  • further easing of performance activities, youth sport and recreation activities;
  • indoor social gatherings;
  • indoor seated events, such as movie theatres and auditoria;
  • museums, art galleries, zoos and interpretive centres;
  • places of worship; and
  • retail

Work from home restrictions are not expected to be lifted until Step 4. Working from home remains mandatory unless an employer requires the employee's physical presence to operate effectively.

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