Alberta open for summer but with some guidelines

Province puts onus of protecting public's health onto individuals, business owners

Alberta lifted nearly all mandatory COVID -19 rules entering Stage 3 on Canada Day, but at the same time released guidelines putting the onus of protecting children, adults and workers' health during a pandemic onto individuals and business owners.

As of Thursday, rules around indoor and outdoor social gatherings, capacity limits in businesses and other venues, recreation, large events like concerts or sports and other settings have been lifted. Isolation and quarantine laws are still in effect. Wearing masks isn't mandatory in most places, apart from some health-care settings and public transit, but individual businesses and organizations can still require them.

But the province also released guidance documents recommending individuals, businesses, and those hosting children's activities voluntarily keep some COVID -19 safety measures in place, as needed.

Premier Jason Kenney celebrated the end of mandatory health rules in a Thursday news release, saying it's a fantastic day for Alberta.

“We have crushed COVID-19 and with cases plummeting and vaccine uptake climbing, we are open for summer. With vaccines on our side, businesses can once again thrive, and Albertans can get back to their normal lives,” he said. “Together, thanks to the sacrifices made by Albertans, we have made it through this terrible time.”

In the release, Health Minister Tyler Shandro said it was time to “safely pivot from strict restrictions to vaccine protection” and urged all Albertans to get the jab.

Chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw also encouraged vaccination, that people “make safe choices,” and support each other through this transition time.

No update on Alberta's COVID -19 cases was given due to the holiday.

Hinshaw previously said that although our COVID-19 numbers, including new, active and serious cases, are trending in the right direction, it doesn't mean COVID -19 is completely gone.

In fact, the suite of guidance documents at times strongly impresses on Albertans the necessity of preventing COVID -19 and other respiratory illnesses from spreading by taking different approaches depending on the context.

“Operators must conduct a workplace hazard assessment, and develop and implement safe workplace practices to protect against the spread of COVID -19 and other respiratory infections,” reads the general guidance document.

“Operators are strongly encouraged to adopt best practices for infection prevention as part of their normal operating procedures.”

Best practices recommended include promoting vaccines, following mandatory quarantine and isolation rules, using hand sanitizer, cleaning regularly, and employing physical distancing.

New Occupational Health and Safety bulletins also remind employers they are legally required to protect employees' health and do hazard assessments to mitigate risks. Not keeping health measures in place could lead to employees refusing unsafe work but, as long as employers have “reasonable controls to address the risk of respiratory viruses,” that shouldn't be an issue, says one bulletin.

Some Edmonton businesses aren't yet ready to throw away safeguards against COVID -19 and took to social media to give customers a heads up.

Edmonton International Airport said in a tweet Thursday masks will still be required at check-in and security. Strength and Balance Massage, Modern Movement Massage, Mousy Browns hair salon, and Blue Gemini Hair Studio will also require masks, according to Instagram posts.

Sharon Wong, owner of Tsujiri Alberta's downtown location, says they opened Thursday for in-person dining after more than a year of only takeout or delivery.

But she says they're still taking precautions, like having staff wear masks, cleaning surfaces regularly, and using hand sanitizer.

“We would prefer customers wear masks when they come in, but we know it's kind of hard to enforce our preference onto customers because across the province restrictions have been lifted,” she said. “Also, we want to believe that most people are working towards getting their second shot. But it's nice, actually, seeing people dine in again, you know? Kind of seeing some semblance of normal.”

Although children are the least likely to fall seriously ill from COVID-19, new guidance documents say those running children's activities like sports, recreation, and performance should take a risk-balanced approach amid the pandemic.

It says risk can be reduced by limiting the number of kids in one setting, holding activities outside or in ventilated areas by opening windows or doors, assigning kids to a fixed group, limiting activities that include heavy breathing or shouting, and keeping the same staff assigned to the same group of kids.

Currently, there aren't any vaccinations approved for children in Canada. Regular cleaning and disinfecting is encouraged, as well as encouraging younger children not to share food. Masking may also be used.

As the virus can spread more easily if singing and heavy physical activity is involved, operators could limit the size of groups involved and keep the same staff assigned to a group, limit the number of these activities, or go outside if possible.

The province also released guidelines specific to preschool and daycare operators, family day home or group child care programs, and camps.