Alberta: More health measures will ease on Feb. 8

The Voice of Canada News:

Additional health measures will be eased for restaurants, indoor fitness and some children’s activities, effective Feb. 8.

Step 1 of Alberta’s four-step framework to ease restrictions is based on a COVID-19 hospitalization benchmark of 600, including intensive care patients. This benchmark was reached on Jan. 28.

The full, four-step framework for easing restrictions can be viewed here.

“Albertans have done a great job of bringing our numbers down from our peak in December. We aren’t out of the woods yet, but there are opportunities where we can safely ease restrictions while also protecting our health-care system. This first step is a cautious one, and it will bring relief to many Albertans and Alberta businesses.”Jason Kenney, Premier

“We are able to ease restrictions on Feb. 8 thanks to the efforts of Albertans. We need to stick to a stepped approach so we don’t risk the steady improvements we’ve made. Although restrictions will remain in place, the path forward gives us all more options in our daily lives.”Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health

Indoor and outdoor children’s sport and performance

• Children’s sport and performance activities are permitted if they are related to school activities, such as physical education classes.
• This will allow K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions to use off-site facilities to support curriculum-related educational activities.

Indoor fitness

• Only one-on-one training is permitted for indoor fitness activities (e.g. fitness in dance studios, training figure skating on ice, one-on-one lessons). 
• One-on-one sessions cannot interact with others and there must be a minimum of three metres distance between sessions in the same facility.
• Sessions have to be scheduled or by appointment.
• No drop-in for individuals or groups is allowed.
• No sports games, competitions, team practice, league play or group exercise of any kind.
• Trainers must be professional, certified and/or paid trainers who are providing active instruction and correction. Passive supervision of a physical activity is not considered training.
• Trainers should remain masked during the session; clients are not required to wear a mask while exercising.
• More than one trainer and client ‘pair’ are allowed into the facility, studio, rink, court, pool, ice surface, etc., as long as:
  • Each trainer and client stays three metres away from all other trainers and clients at all times, including in entryways and exits.
  • Each trainer only interacts with their assigned client, and each client only interacts with their assigned trainer.
  • No interaction between clients or between trainers is allowed.
  • No ‘cycling through’ multiple trainers, as in circuit training.

Restaurants, cafes and pubs

• Restaurants, cafes and pubs must collect the contact information of one person from the dining party.
• Up to a maximum of six people per table; individuals must be from same household or the two close contacts for people living alone.
• Liquor service ends at 10 p.m.
• In-person dining must close by 11 p.m.
• No entertainment allowed (e.g., no VLTs, pool tables, live music, etc.)

Alberta’s government is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by protecting lives and livelihoods with precise measures to bend the curve, sustain small businesses and protect Alberta’s health-care system.