Relaunch limited in Calgary, Brooks
Some businesses in COVID-19 hot spots must wait till May 25
Calgary and Brooks have been singled out from Phase 1 of the province’s relaunch strategy as they grapple with more active cases of COVID -19 than anywhere else in Alberta.
The decision was announced by Premier Jason Kenney on Wednesday, just hours before businesses were expecting to reopen. He said plans are moving forward to ease restrictions for the remainder of Alberta, which will see certain places, like restaurants, retail shops, hair salons, daycares and some dental and medical services resume operations on Thursday.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that thanks to your efforts we are proceeding with Stage 1 of Alberta’s relaunch strategy,” Kenney said Wednesday alongside Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health.
“On the advice of our public health officials, we will be taking a gradual regional approach to reopening for certain activities that require greater physical proximity. Dr. Hinshaw has flagged two specific areas — Calgary and Brooks — where we continue to see a disproportionate number of cases. Together, they account for three-quarters of our current cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations.”
Kenney said both cities will move into a staggered reopening. Starting Thursday, retail businesses, farmers’ markets, museums and art galleries will be allowed to reopen consistent with the rest of the province.
However, hair salons, cafes, restaurants and bars won’t be allowed to open at 50 per cent capacity until May 25. The remainder of Stage 1 openings, including day camps, summer school, post-secondary institutions and places of worship, will be allowed to reopen June 1 in Calgary and Brooks.
“Dr. Hinshaw and her colleagues are concerned that we continue to see significantly more cases of community transmission with unknown sources in Calgary and Brooks as compared to the rest of the province,” said Kenney. “So, we are prudently giving our public health experts a little more time to monitor trends in those communities. Better be safe than sorry.”
Health officials had warned that the province could ditch a blanket relaunch and apply it regionally, postponing the economic opening of areas that have been more severely affected by the potentially deadly virus.
The final decision was made Tuesday night during Alberta’s emergency management cabinet meeting. Kenney and Hinshaw said the decision was made with the most up-to-date data and made it challenging to give lead time.
“As we move into Stage 1, I know many are experiencing mixed emotions — relief, excitement, anger, anxiety and fear,” said Hinshaw.
“I want to assure you that protecting Albertans’ health and well-being is at the forefront of every decision that is made. We would not jeopardize all that you have risked and sacrificed by beginning to reopen prematurely. I feel confident that it is the right time to move into Stage 1.”
Hundreds of businesses in Calgary had already begun plans to relaunch Thursday, while others took a more cautious approach with fears regarding safety of staff and patrons.
The announcement on Wednesday gutted some who had hired staff and stocked up on supplies.
“It’s deflating in the sense that it’s 24 hours notice. That’s the biggest thing that is frustrating for our entire team,” said Casey Greabeiel, director of operations at downtown Greta Bar.
“We spent lots of time, energy and money on PPE (personal protective equipment), Plexiglas and all of those type of things. We brought in product. We brought in inventory. So it’s a frustrating announcement to get but, at the same time, our No. 1 priority is the health and safety of our staff and of our guests.”
Greabeiel said they had hired about 25 per cent of their workers back. After the announcement was made, management broke the news to their team and delayed their rehiring until the new launch date.
“Twenty-four hours notice in the hospitality business is not enough when it comes to perishable food and staff,” he added. “Let’s say 30 per cent of the city was opening restaurants and bars (Thursday), that’s thousands of people that probably thought they were going to work.”
This, he added, could also affect government support for people accessing the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program.
Greta is hoping pickup and delivery options will help get rid of food stock.
Ervin Bushi, owner of Broken Plate Greek Restaurant YYC, said his business will suffer a financial burden.
“We stocked up on everything to open,” Bushi said. “We hired most of our staff back, so now we’re trying to keep them busy.”
He said they are hoping to get rid of their inventory with to-go orders but are worried that more changes might be made to the relaunch plan despite the new May 25 date.
“They raised people’s hopes with this. If our numbers for Calgary aren’t good, we understand, but it’s better to just let us know,” said Bushi. “More time would have been way better.”
The restaurant had prepared by adding signage, installing Plexiglas shields, laminating menus, increasing sanitation and deep cleaning the space.
Both Kenney and Hinshaw expressed sympathy for businesses that had planned to reopen, but said there was always the possibility of change.
“I very much regret if any businesses have gone to expense but we made it clear when we outlined the relaunch strategy a couple of weeks ago that nothing was for sure. It would all depend on the numbers and the public health advice that we receive,” said Kenney.
“The good news is we now have a clearer framework.”
Neighbouring cities to Calgary, including Airdrie, Okotoks and Chestermere, will be privy to all of the Phase 1 reopening Thursday. There are no legal restrictions against Calgarians visiting these communities but Hinshaw is urging people to avoid any unnecessary travel.
High River will also be allowed to relax restrictions Thursday, despite having the largest outbreak at a single facility in the country at the Cargill meat-processing plant.
Hinshaw said the number of active cases in the community are not significantly higher than the rest of the province — unlike Calgary and Brooks — so there was no need, based on data, to delay reopening.
The Alberta government has released guidance for workplaces included in the first phase of the relaunch strategy.
It includes information on enhanced infection prevention and control measures, occupational health and safety resources and criteria to follow to appropriately reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. They must adhere to physical distancing practices and appropriate use of personal protective equipment.
The soonest Phase 2 would come into effect is June 19, and will depend on the status of COVID -19 in the province. This will include the reopening of K-12 schools, certain personal services such as tanning, some larger gatherings, movie theatres and additional scheduled surgeries.
To date, there are 6,407 COVID -19 cases in Alberta — 4,375 of which are in the Calgary zone. There are currently 70 people hospitalized and 11 in the ICU.
Two additional deaths were announced Wednesday, bringing the provincial death toll to 120.
They raised people’s hopes with this. If our numbers for Calgary aren’t good, we understand, but it’s better to just let us know.