The government of Alberta, Canada has added new restrictions in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the province. Under the limitations, casinos, gyms and dine-in service at restaurants will be shut down, outdoor social gatherings will be banned and masks will be mandatory, said Premier Jason Kenney.
Retail services, shopping malls and places of worship must cut back capacity to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy. The ban on social gatherings and the mask mandate went into effect with the rest of the restrictions expected to take effect December 13. Indoor gatherings remain prohibited.
The measures will remain in place for a minimum of four weeks, according to the Edmonton Journal.
“We know that hundreds or potentially thousands more Albertans could die” he said. “We are now at a place where viral transmission is so widespread in the community, that it does not any longer matter how careful business operators are.”
The province reported 1,727 new cases December 8 for a total number of active cases of 20,388, the highest in Canada. The provincial death toll is now at 640 after nine more deaths were reported.
“Ninety-seven percent of Albertans live today in a local geographic area with more than 50 active Covid cases per 100,000 population and that was our key threshold,” Kenney said.
NDP Leader Rachel Notley said restrictions should have been ordered four weeks ago.
“The premier acted like he didn’t have a choice but let’s be clear, he’s had many choices, many opportunities to act decisively,” Notley said.
As of Sunday, restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes will be closed to dine-in service while other businesses including casinos, bingo halls, bowling alleys, legions and private clubs will be shut down. Fitness centers, pools, spas, studios and indoor rinks and arenas will also be closed.
Outdoor recreation, including skating rinks and ski hills, remain open as long as public health protocols are followed. Hotels can remain open, but must follow public health restrictions, including the closure of spas, pools or in-person dining
Kenney also announced a mandatory province-wide work-from-home mandate, unless the employer determines “a physical presence for operational effectiveness.”
Meanwhile, to help the estimated 30,000 businesses that will be impacted by the restrictions, the government is expanding its grant program to $20,000 from $5,000.
Jobs, Economy and Innovation Minister Doug Schweitzer said an additional 15,000 businesses will qualify for the grant that is now open to businesses who have experienced a 30 per cent reduction in revenue — a drop from the previous 50 per cent requirement.
Businesses can secure up to 15 per cent of their pre-Covid monthly revenues up to $20,000. Edmonton Independent Hospitality Community co-founder Kristoffer Harvey said the organization welcomes the new restrictions and the changes to the grant program.
Edmonton Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Janet Riopel said the restrictions will hurt businesses but are essential to curbing the spread of the virus before focusing on economic recovery.
“Having some cash flow through government supports will help our job creators to hang on a bit longer,” she said in a statement. “We continue to urge Edmontonians to shop local, shop safely, support our charitable sector, and wear a mask this holiday season.”
Notley urged the government Tuesday to fix the contact tracing system, pursue a workforce strategy in continuing care and bring in rapid testing at least twice a week to slow the spread.
