COVID RESTRICTIONS
– Local MLAs urge break for South zone
Local MLAs want a regional approach to COVID restrictions with just 1.9 per cent of Alberta’s active cases in the south zone.
Of the 13,298 active cases, 41 per cent (5,465 cases) are in the Edmonton zone, 35.6 per cent (4,739 cases) in the Calgary zone, 10.4 per cent (1,381 cases) in the central zone, 10.4 per cent (1,384 cases) in the north and 1.9 per cent (252 cases) in the South zone, which includes Medicine Hat and Lethbridge.
COVID restrictions announced in December apply across the province.
Premier Jason Kenney also announced Thursday that the current restrictions will remain in place until at least Jan. 21.
Alberta Health was asked for comments on whether a regional approach is being considered. There was no response.
“I have been calling for a regional approach for a long time,” said Drew Barnes, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, who petitioned the government on the matter this week.
“It (COVID) has not been a problem down here and we are destroying our economy (and) mental health for a situation that has not been a problem.”
Michaela Glasgo, MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat, says she has been hearing from constituents on this, too.
She says originally the intent was to have a regional approach but in December when the number of active cases surged in Alberta, a decision was made to adopt a metric used across Canada.
Every region that had more than 50 cases per 100,000 people was the threshold and this did not take into account the different density of the populations, said Glasgo.
“I do think it is time to look at the metrics that we’re using.”
She says there are signs that people are getting tired of following restrictions. They have seen lower numbers in this region and they are not being rewarded for that effort.
Barnes says a price has been paid for COVID restrictions in mental health, the local economy and impact on businesses in the community. He notes the high suicide numbers plus increased deaths due to drug overdoses as well.
“My fear is, and I said this to Dr. Hinshaw right at the start, if we lockdown too tight for too long when it’s not necessary, people will have COVID fatigue ... mental health and economy effects,” said Barnes.
Barnes says a different set of rules to ensure we protect the most vulnerable from COVID should be in place here compared to big cities such as Calgary and Edmonton.
Glasgo says she would like to see businesses and trades that have not contributed to the spread given a break.
She says she has encouraged the government to look at alternative ways to address restrictions and any other measures considered necessary.