Alberta's premier claims that a three-stage strategy may see the province fully reopened by July.

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Kirti Pathak
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Alberta

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The Alberta government has released its three-stage "open for summer" policy, which is linked to immunization and hospitalization rates and could result in the lifting of all public-health restrictions by July.

Premier Jason Kenney announced at a news conference on Wednesday that the province will enter Stage 1 on June 1 and would be fully operational by the beginning of July or early.

Kenney described the last 16 months as "very difficult," filled with sacrifices, grief, and adjusting to unexpected changes.

In order to reach Stage 1, 50% of Albertans aged 12 and over must have had at least one dose of vaccination, and COVID-19 hospitalizations must be below 800 and dropping. Both of those milestones have already been reached, according to Kenney.

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Beginning on Friday, places of worship will be permitted to open with a 15% capacity limit. The rest of Stage 1 would begin on June 1st, and would include:

  • Up to ten-person outdoor gatherings
  • Reopening of personal and wellness services is permitted.
  • Patios at restaurants are now permitted to reopen.
  • Up to ten persons can participate in outdoor sports and recreation.
  • Retail stores are allowed to be up to 15% fire code occupied.

Stage 2 would begin two weeks after 60% of eligible Albertans have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine and COVID-19 hospitalizations have dropped below 500 and are on the decline.

"Based on our current bookings, we expect to meet that 60% level anytime this week, possibly as early as tomorrow," Kenney added, "putting us on schedule to start this Stage 2 in mid-June."

In Stage 2, libraries and movie theatres may return, places of worship and retail outlets may be one-third full, restaurants may seat groups of up to six indoors and outside, gyms may reopen, and outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people may be permitted.

After 70% of eligible Albertans have received at least one dose of vaccination, Stage 3 would begin two weeks later. That stage will not be linked to the number of hospitalizations.

 

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