Post-isolation strategy has a few key points

EDMONTON

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has unveiled preliminary details of what he calls the province’s relaunch strategy.

The plan focuses on gradually boosting the economy while preventing a second wave of COVID-19.

During his televised address to the province Tuesday, Kenney stressed the strategy can’t come into effect until social distancing rules are relaxed. Current models suggest that won’t be until the end of May, he said.

Kenney says the strategy takes information from countries like Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea, which have had more success than other nations in terms of economic activity and viral spread.

Here are some key points of the relaunch strategy:

Mass testing

Kenney plans for Alberta to conduct as many as 20,000 COVID-19 tests a day. He says testing is the foundation of the strategy. The plan will use new tests to identify positive cases and those with immunity in a more timely fashion.

Tracing

Kenney says Alberta will have more precise tracing of close contacts of those who are infected.

Border screening

Kenney says he feels Canada waited too long to close its borders, especially to countries with high levels of infection. He says Alberta will deploy a “much more rigorous approach than the federal government has in screening and quarantining international arrivals.”

Watching close

The premier says Alberta will use technology to enforce quarantine orders. He says that could include smart phone apps when appropriate.

Mask usage

Alberta plans to “encourage and facilitate the use of masks in crowded public spaces, like mass transit.”