Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, Minister of Health Tyler Shandro, and Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation Doug Schweitzer announced on Wednesday, May 26 the Alberta Open for Summer Plan.
The Open for Summer Plan is a three-stage road map to lift public health restrictions to safely get back to normal and provides a clear picture of a summer without restrictions as long as Albertans continue to follow public health measures in the short term and vaccination numbers continue to rise.
As Alberta reached the 50 per cent threshold for first dose vaccinations as of Tuesday, May 18, and with hospitalizations well below 800, Alberta will enter Stage One beginning on Tuesday, June 1.
Based on the current pace of vaccinations, Alberta is projected to enter Stage Two in mid-June, and Stage Three in late June or early July--these are estimates only and rely on all Albertans continuing to drive down hospitalizations while increasing vaccination numbers.
Stage One will take place two weeks after 50 per cent of eligible Albertans age 12 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and hospitalizations are below 800 and declining.
Beginning Friday, May 28 the capacity limit for worship services increases to 15 per cent of fire code capacity.
Starting Tuesday, June 1 outdoor social gatherings, with distancing, increase to up to 10 people, though indoor social gatherings are still not permitted; outdoor patio dining can resume with a maximum of four people per table from the same household, or two close contacts for a person living alone, with physical distancing and other restrictions still apply; outdoor physical, performance and recreational activities are permitted with up to 10 distanced people, for all ages; retail capacity can increase to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy, provided ability to distance; personal and wellness services can reopen by appointment only; wedding ceremonies may have up to 10 people, including officiant, bride/groom, witnesses, and any photographers/videographers; funeral ceremonies may have up to 20 people, not including facility staff, funeral clergy or organizers not considered guests; receptions for both weddings and funerals are still prohibited.
Social distancing and masking remain in effect.
Stage Two will take place two weeks after 60 per cent of eligible Albertans age 12 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and hospitalizations are below 500 and declining.
In Stage Two outdoor social gatherings will increase to 20 people with distancing; wedding ceremonies may occur with up to 20 attendees, and funeral ceremonies remain unchanged--receptions will be permitted, outdoors only for both weddings and funerals; restaurants may seat tables with up to six people either indoors or outdoors, dining parties do not need to be from the same household, though physical distancing and other restrictions still apply; retail capacity increases to one-third of fire code occupancy with ability to distance; capacity for places of worship will also increase to one-third fire code capacity; gyms and other indoor fitness, including fitness classes, can open for solo and drop-in activities provided three metres distancing between participants; indoor and outdoor youth and adult sports resume with no restrictions; youth activities, including day camps and play centres, may resume with restrictions; personal and wellness services can resume walk-in services; post-secondary institutions can resume in-person learning; the work-from-home order will be lifted, though is still recommended; outdoor fixed seating facilities, such as grandstands, can open with one-third seated capacity; public outdoor gatherings increase to 150 people, such as concerts or festivals, with restrictions.
Social distancing and masking requirements remain in effect.
Stage Three will take place two weeks after 70 per cent of eligible Albertans age 12 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Hospitalizations will continue to be monitored.
All restrictions will be lifted, including the ban on indoor social gatherings. Isolation requirements for confirmed COVID-19 cases, and some protective measures in continuing care settings remain.
Additional details on restrictions and measures in place will be released prior to each step.
