Alberta to protect businesses requiring vaccination
Alberta plans to roll out new supports and incentives for businesses opting into the vaccine passport program, including a one-time $2,000 grant, increased fines for people who harass staff that enforce COVID-19 rules and legal protections for employers who require staff to be vaccinated.
The changes are meant to help businesses take part in the restriction exemption program, which, by requiring proof of vaccination, is paying off as part of the province's efforts to boost vaccination rates, Premier Jason Kenney said at a Thursday news conference.
“The bottom line is this: vaccines are essential to avoid a collapse in our health-care system, and even more preventable deaths, and we're doing everything we can to get as many Albertans vaccinated as possible,” he said.
“The restrictions exemption program is another part of these efforts, and it is paying real dividends. That's why we're making it easier to use, helping businesses utilize the program, and protecting those Alberta businesses and workers who have implemented this program.”
Small and medium businesses requiring patrons to be vaccinated, show a negative COVID -19 test or medical exemption, can apply for a one-time $2,000 grant meant to offset costs within the next four to six weeks.
An upcoming new law that protects employers who require staff to be vaccinated against COVID -19 is meant to ease their worries around potential legal troubles, Jobs, Economy and Innovation Minister Doug Schweitzer said.
“That's why we're moving on this legislation, to provide absolute certainty that they can put in place a vaccine mandate for their workers as well as implement the (vaccine passport) program without worry about frivolous lawsuits,” he said.
Fines for breaking health orders including mistreating workers who are enforcing them will also be increased to $4,000 from $2,000. The government is also putting $1 million for industry associations to develop or procure workplace safety training for staff to manage challenging situations that may come up while enforcing rules.
Schweitzer said boosting fines is meant to prevent public-facing workers from being harassed — as in cases where people don't want to show identification — which is “completely unacceptable and we want to send a strong signal that that type of behaviour will not be tolerated in Alberta.”
The rate of COVID-19 vaccinations has recently levelled off after a spike after the restriction exemption program, and new COVID -19 rules, were announced.
1,254 CASES, 13 DEATHS
Another 1,254 cases of COVID -19 were reported in Alberta on Thursday and 13 more people have died, chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said at the news conference.
The positivity rate was around eight per cent, the fourth day in a row under 10 per cent, which Hinshaw said is encouraging.
“But it is much too early to declare victory. This weekend poses a significant risk ... in order to keep numbers going down, we need all Albertans to have a safe Thanksgiving.”
By Thursday, the number of people in hospital for the disease climbed by nine to 1,083, including 248 in ICU, an increase of one. The Edmonton Zone had the most in ICU at 109.
Active cases declined to 18,411. But Alberta still leads the country in active cases, reporting nearly three times as many as B.C., the province with the second most active infections. There were 4,304 and 4,539 active cases in the Edmonton and Calgary zones, respectively.
SCHOOLS WON'T MOVE ONLINE
As of Thursday there were COVID-19 alerts or outbreaks at 751 schools, with 52 of these having outbreaks, Hinshaw said. There were 835 schools with alerts or outbreaks in May when students moved to studying online, but the premier said a similar move now is unlikely.
The move last spring wasn't due to the virus spreading in classrooms or making kids sick, but because of staffing issues with many teachers in isolation, Kenney said.
“What's different now?” he said. “Vaccination. I think it's fair to assume over 90 per cent of teachers and school staff are vaccinated.”
Hinshaw said existing rules are slowing the spread of the disease, including in school-aged children, but if there was “significant transmission” they may consider it.
Health Minister Jason Copping, asked about how the government is preparing for vaccines being approved for younger children, said plans are still in the works but they may be given out at schools.
Starting next Tuesday, schools will begin notifying parents if a child was exposed at school and some districts will have rapid testing available. Outbreak and case information is now also being reported online.
DOCTORS CALL FOR MANDATORY JABS
Meantime, the Alberta Medical Association is asking the government to make vaccines mandatory for all public social gatherings, jobs where groups of people work together, and to attend school in-person for kids who can be vaccinated.
It also asked for the opportunity for more health professionals to give policy advice to the government amid the pandemic.
Last month the group also asked for a fire-breaker lockdown, which could target locations like bars, nightclubs, and indoor dining, or putting in strict capacity limits.
Asked whether a sharp lockdown is needed, Kenney said cases are moving in the right direction and the new rules brought in last month — particularly around indoor social gatherings — are having an impact, but they will consider more measures if necessary.