Albertans can make plans to hit the golf course this on Monday but they won’t be able to get a professional hair cut until May 14..“I’m confident Albertans will approach relaunch with the same adaptability and resilience they have shown throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” Alberta’s premier said Thursday afternoon..“We will move forward together with care and common sense, knowing tough times are still ahead. We will support and protect vulnerable Albertans and keep them safe as we build our province back up one stage at a time.”.The plan begins with opening access to parking lots and staging areas in parks and public spaces on Friday, followed by a flurry of health-related services by May 4 including: some scheduled, non-emergent surgeries, dental, physiotherapy, respiratory therapy, social workers, speech language pathologists, and others..Boat launches will begin reopening on Friday and the government hopes to have them all open within two weeks..Campsites will begin reopening May 14 – to Albertans only – and group and “comfort camping” will not be available. Facility restrictions to showers, picnic areas, and cooking shelters will be posted online at albertaparks.ca, with site bookings available May 14 for June 1 and later..Washrooms and garbage pickup at provincial parks will not be available until seasonal staff can be hired.. Defying crackdown, hundreds march against lockdowns in Calgary .“These seasonal positions represent an important opportunity for Albertans to secure employment during challenging economic times,” stated the Government of Alberta media release..Fire bans remain in place but there are no off-highway vehicle restrictions at this time..While golf courses can open, there are some restrictions in place and it is recommended Albertans ask what will be restricted when booking a tee time..The pre-launch phase, beginning immediately and over the next couple of weeks precedes stage one which includes the greater retail and restaurant businesses..As early as May 14, retail businesses, farmer’s markets, hair salons, daycares, summer camps, cafes, and restaurants may open..Additional services, such as summer school and post-secondary classes may also be able to resume at that time..“There are signs that our collective efforts of physical distancing, good hygiene practices, and staying home when advised are helping to slow the spread,” Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw said..“However, we must guard against complacency and be patient to ensure the sacrifices we have already made to contain the virus are not wasted by carelessness as we gradually reopen businesses and services.”.Gatherings of more than 15 people, K-12 schools, festivals, major sports events, concerts, movie theatres, arenas, spas, gyms and nightclubs will remain closed during stage one. Health care facilities, including long-term care facilities, will continue to restrict visitors during this time..Working remotely is still recommended during stage one, and non-essential travel – especially outside of the province – is not recommended..Based on the success of stage one, specifically healthcare capacity, limited or reduced rate of infection, hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) cases, the province will move to stage two which will include reopening additional businesses like movie theatres, with restrictions..Nightclubs, gyms, pools, recreation centres, and arenas will remain closed, and no festivals, concerts, attendance at major sports events and other mass gatherings will continue to be banned..Stage three will commence after stage two can be deemed successful which will allow all businesses to open – with some restrictions in place..While the plan is in place, Kenney warned that there are still risks and said the plan would be revised if necessary should Alberta see a sudden rise in infection rates..Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean is a Senior Reporter with Western Standard.dmaclean@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter @Mitchell_AB
Albertans can make plans to hit the golf course this on Monday but they won’t be able to get a professional hair cut until May 14..“I’m confident Albertans will approach relaunch with the same adaptability and resilience they have shown throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” Alberta’s premier said Thursday afternoon..“We will move forward together with care and common sense, knowing tough times are still ahead. We will support and protect vulnerable Albertans and keep them safe as we build our province back up one stage at a time.”.The plan begins with opening access to parking lots and staging areas in parks and public spaces on Friday, followed by a flurry of health-related services by May 4 including: some scheduled, non-emergent surgeries, dental, physiotherapy, respiratory therapy, social workers, speech language pathologists, and others..Boat launches will begin reopening on Friday and the government hopes to have them all open within two weeks..Campsites will begin reopening May 14 – to Albertans only – and group and “comfort camping” will not be available. Facility restrictions to showers, picnic areas, and cooking shelters will be posted online at albertaparks.ca, with site bookings available May 14 for June 1 and later..Washrooms and garbage pickup at provincial parks will not be available until seasonal staff can be hired.. Defying crackdown, hundreds march against lockdowns in Calgary .“These seasonal positions represent an important opportunity for Albertans to secure employment during challenging economic times,” stated the Government of Alberta media release..Fire bans remain in place but there are no off-highway vehicle restrictions at this time..While golf courses can open, there are some restrictions in place and it is recommended Albertans ask what will be restricted when booking a tee time..The pre-launch phase, beginning immediately and over the next couple of weeks precedes stage one which includes the greater retail and restaurant businesses..As early as May 14, retail businesses, farmer’s markets, hair salons, daycares, summer camps, cafes, and restaurants may open..Additional services, such as summer school and post-secondary classes may also be able to resume at that time..“There are signs that our collective efforts of physical distancing, good hygiene practices, and staying home when advised are helping to slow the spread,” Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw said..“However, we must guard against complacency and be patient to ensure the sacrifices we have already made to contain the virus are not wasted by carelessness as we gradually reopen businesses and services.”.Gatherings of more than 15 people, K-12 schools, festivals, major sports events, concerts, movie theatres, arenas, spas, gyms and nightclubs will remain closed during stage one. Health care facilities, including long-term care facilities, will continue to restrict visitors during this time..Working remotely is still recommended during stage one, and non-essential travel – especially outside of the province – is not recommended..Based on the success of stage one, specifically healthcare capacity, limited or reduced rate of infection, hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) cases, the province will move to stage two which will include reopening additional businesses like movie theatres, with restrictions..Nightclubs, gyms, pools, recreation centres, and arenas will remain closed, and no festivals, concerts, attendance at major sports events and other mass gatherings will continue to be banned..Stage three will commence after stage two can be deemed successful which will allow all businesses to open – with some restrictions in place..While the plan is in place, Kenney warned that there are still risks and said the plan would be revised if necessary should Alberta see a sudden rise in infection rates..Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean is a Senior Reporter with Western Standard.dmaclean@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter @Mitchell_AB
