Minister of Health Tyler Shandro and Chief Medical Officer of Health Doctor Deena Hinshaw addressed the province today for the daily COVID-19 update. 

Shandro spoke first, announcing the completion of Step 2 of their "A Path Forward" plan now easing restrictions on the rest of Phase 2 that had been delayed due to COVID-19 variants in the province.

"We said we would move forward with step 2 as soon as it was safe to do so, and I now believe it is." says Shandro, "Cases, hospitalizations, and fatalities continue to fall. We still plan on having all adult Albertans able to book a vaccination appointment by the end of June."

Effective immediately, these are the new restriction eases across Alberta:

Retail:

  • Retail services and shopping malls must limit customer capacity to 25% of fire code occupancy (not including staff) or a minimum of 5 customers. This includes individual stores and common areas such as hallways and food courts.
  • Curbside pick up, delivery, and online services are encouraged
  • Shop alone or only with the people you live with
  • Retail services include but are not limited to:
    • Retail businesses
    • Shopping centres and malls
    • Grocery stores, markets, and pharmacies
    • Clothing and sporting goods stores
    • Computer and technology stores
    • Hardware and automotive
    • Liquor and cannabis
    • Pet supply stores
    • Gift shops

Public Facilities:

  • Banquet halls, community halls, and conference centres can open for all activities permitted under Step 1 and 2
  • These activities including hosting:
    • Virtual meetings, conferences, and events
    • Wedding ceremonies up to 10 people
    • Funeral services up to 20 people
  • Hotels, motels, hunting, and fishing lodges may remain open, but must follow conditions for:
    • Dine-in establishments
    • Indoor fitness
    • Personal and wellness services (spa services)

Limited group physical activities:
Eligible participants include youth under 18 years old, members of a collegiate or university athletic program if over 18 years old, coaches or trainers

  • Lessons, practices, and physical conditioning activities are allowed for indoor and outdoor minor sports/activities and school athletics (for example, school sport activities that are outside of a physical education class or related part of the school curriculum)
  • Games are not allowed
  • Maximum of 10 total individuals, including all coaches, trainers, and participants
  • A playing surface (for example, arena, field, court or swimming pool) may be occupied by more than one youth group, as long as 3-metres of physical distancing can be maintained between groups of 10 and the groups do not intermingle
  • Physical distancing must be maintained between participants at all times: 3-metres physical distance for indoor activities, 2-metres physical distance for outdoor activities
  • Coaches or trainers may enter physical distancing space for brief interactions with participants (for example, to correct form or technique)
  • Participants must be masked at all times, except during the training activity
  • Coaches and trainers must remain masked at all times
  • Access to change rooms must be limited, including accelerated arrival and departure, emergencies (for example, first aid) and washroom use.youth, colleged athletic programs 

Performance activities:
Includes dancing, singing, acting, playing a musical instrument, and any rehearsal or theatrical performance. Youth development activities such as Scouts, Girl Guides, and 4H are allowed.

  • Adult performers and performance groups
    • Individual performers or performance groups (10 participants maximum) can access indoor and outdoor facilities for rehearsals, lessons, filming or broadcasting virtual performances
    • Masks are mandatory at all times, except while playing a wind instrument
    • 3-metre physical distancing must be maintained at all times
    • In-person audiences and spectators are not allowed
  • Larger indoor film and other performances may be allowed subject to an approved plan that follows strict new guidance, including regular lab-based PCR testing, and no audience
  • Children and youth performance activities (18 years and under)
    • 10 participants maximum, including instructors, for lessons, rehearsals, and virtual performances
    • Masks are mandatory at all times, except while playing a wind instrument
    • 3-metre distancing between all participants
    • In-person audiences and spectators are not allowed
  • Indoor group performance activities conducted in a place of worship, such as choir singing and instrumental music, are permitted provided these are normal activities conducted as part of worship practices and not for the purpose of entertainment.

"We will be discussing step 3 on March 22nd at the earliest. This will give us time to see what impact, if any, these changes have on COVID-19 in Alberta. We all have to continue to do our part to respect the public health guidance that's in place." says Shandro "We're making progress, we just have to stick with it for a little longer."

When Hinshaw took to the podium she gave the daily update on COVID-19 numbers across the province. She also reminded Albertans that each ease of restrictions comes with more opportunities for COVID to spread and everyone needs to remain vigilant. 

278 new cases have been identified in the province from approximately 5,500 tests. The provincial active case total now sits at 4,633. There are 254 in the hospital due to COVID-19 right now with 36 in intensive care.

Right now in Airdrie, there are 81 active cases. In Rocky View County, there are 23.