Alberta's provincial government has laid out their planned path to a summer free of COVID restrictions.

Premier Jason Kenney and Health Minister Tyler Shandro outlined the three-stage "Open for Summer" plan, which is based on vaccination and hospitalization rates, on Wednesday, May 26th.

Each stage will be implemented two weeks after its milestone is met.

In the case of Stage 1, the milestone was met on May 18th, so it will be implemented on June 1st.

Stage 1: 50% of eligible Albertans over the age of 12 have received at least one dose, hospitalizations below 800 and falling.

     -15% capacity limit for places of worship starting this Friday, May 28th.

     -Starting on Tuesday, June 1st, outdoor social gatherings and sports activities of up to 10 people can be held, patio dining can resume with four people of the same household, personal services like salons can open by appointment, and retail services can operate at 15% fire-code capacity.

Stage 2: 60% of eligible Albertans over the age of 12 have received at least one dose, hospitalizations below 500 and falling.

     -Public indoor settings like libraries, rec centres, casinos and theatres can reopen with 1/3 fire-code capacity, concerts and festivals can resume with a maximum of 150 people, restaurants can offer dine-in service with indoor and outdoor tables limited to six individuals (the house will no longer apply,) personal services can resume walk-in service, places of worship and retail places can expand to 1/3 of their fire-code capacity, indoor fitness classes can resume, gyms can reopen for solo and drop-in services, and team sports can resume, and outdoor gatherings including weddings and funerals can now be held with up to 20 individuals.

Stage 3: 70% of eligible Albertans over the age of 12 have received at least one dose, with no hospitalization threshold.

     -All gathering and capacity limits lifted, provincial mask mandate lifted (with some recommendations remaining,) domestic and international travellers can again enter Alberta, and isolation requirements for confirmed cases as well as some hospital measures will remain.

Stage 2 is projected to start on June 10th and will require another 76,000 doses to be administered, with Stage 3 projected for June 28th, requiring another 380,000 doses.

According to the Premier, 403,650 appointments have been booked for between May 27th and June 14th, and stages could be implemented sooner than the projected dates if more appointments are carried out.

To view the press conference, click here.

 

Send us your news tips, story ideas and comments at news@highriveronline.com