Premier Jason Kenney made a live appearance on the evening of May 4th, 2021 to announce new public health measures

Kenney prefaced the announcement with the current hospitalization figures, with 671 being treated in hospital, 150 of whom are in intensive care.

Including those who aren't being treated for COVID, there are 226 Albertans occupying ICU beds.

The premier cautioned that if too much strain is put on the healthcare system, surgeries would have to be cancelled, and care would not be available to all who need it.

Starting this Friday, May 7th, kindergarten to grade 12 students will have to fully transition to online learning until May 25th.

Post-secondary institutions will do the same.

Measures are being implemented based on regional cases, with the following measures applying to any community with more than 50 cases per 100,000 people and with 30 or more active cases.

Effective Immediately:

Workplaces with COVID-19 outbreaks must cease operations for 10 days, though exemptions are in place for "critical workplaces."

The maximum capacity for retail spaces has been lowered to 10% fire code capacity, or a minimum of five customers.

Outdoor social gatherings are now limited to five people.

Places of worship capacity lowered 15 individuals, with funerals limited to 10.

Starting at 11:59 pm this Sunday:

Personal and wellness services including salons, tattoo parlours, nail salons must close for three weeks.

In-person dining will be prohibited, including outdoor patios, with takeout and delivery still permitted.

Outdoor sports will be limited to households and close contacts, and both youth and adult performances are prohibited.

Professional health services including physicians, dentists, lawyers, and massage can still run by appointment only.

All of the new measures will be in place for at least three weeks.

 

Kenney also announced that fines for violating measures doubled to $2000, with the maximum for serious offences remaining at $100,000.

There are new enforcement protocols for repeat offenders, including, according to the province, "multi-agency response." 

 

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