When will Alberta's COVID-19 restrictions end? 'Hopefully soon,' says Kenney
Premier Jason Kenney has expressed "guarded optimism" that Alberta will soon be able to reduce provincial COVID-19 health restrictions.
Currently, businesses that opt into the Restrictions Exceptions Program (REP) are required to ask for proof of vaccination, negative COVID-19 test results or medical exceptions for patrons over 12.
They must also ensure masks are worn by patrons.
At restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs, the REP forbids more than 10 people per table, limits interactive activities like dancing, darts and billiards, and prevents liquor service past 11 p.m. Venues are also required to close at 12:30 a.m.
"We're being asked, 'when do all of these restrictions and measures come to an end,'" Kenney said Thursday.
"And my answer is: hopefully soon, but we have to get past this Omicron."
Kenney said Alberta hasn't yet reached a peak in hospitalizations.
"We have to support our health care workers," he said.
"So if you're frustrated, I get it – we are all frustrated and tired of this thing, sick and tired of it."
"But please, in your frustration, think about the hospital workers who day by day are seeing more patients show up. They are working incredibly hard to keep people safe, to save lives, so lets be mindful of them," Kenney added.
"Just please continue to be diligent, be careful, think of our health care workers and let's just get through this."
For more information on Alberta' current public health restrictions, you can visit the Government of Alberta's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.