Open for good? Alberta enters Stage 3 of reopening on Canada Day
The province is set to move into the third and final stage of its Open for Summer plan on Thursday.
In Stage 3, nearly all pandemic-related health measures will be lifted including the province-wide mask mandate.
According to Alberta Health Services, masks will still be required in some settings, including while on public transit and while inside city-owned buildings.
The City of Calgary's mandatory mask bylaw will remain in place until at least July 5, while Edmonton, Okotoks and Banff have announced they will follow the province’s timeline and remove their rules on Canada Day.
The ban on indoor social gatherings will be lifted and restaurants, bars and retail outlets will once again be able to run at full capacity.
A few measures will stay in place including isolation requirements for anyone who tests positive for COVID-19. Testing will still be offered to anyone with symptoms and the province will monitor the impact the move to Stage 3 has on case numbers.
"This is just a reminder that if you feel even a little bit unwell, it remains critical for you to stay home and arrange to get tested," said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health. "We will also continue to actively investigate and contact trace new cases, as well as screen for variants."
Hinshaw urges Albertans to remain vigilant. "COVID-19 is not going away completely. It remains a potentially serious illness that we must keep respecting."
Premier Jason Kenney has said he does not plan to bring back restrictions, adding that Alberta is not only open for summer but open for good.
BUSINESSES REMAIN CAUTIOUS
The Ship & Anchor Pub on 17th Avenue S.W. says it has decided to keep the mandatory mask policy in place indoors past July 5th, for now.
“We decided it's just a wise idea for interior spaces to remain a little cautious as we come out of the restrictions,” said Nicola Trolez, the Ship's marketing manager.
Starting Thursday, most of the plexiglass barriers separating tables outside will be coming down. The patio will be restriction-free as of July 1.
Starting Thursday, most of the plexiglass barriers separating tables outside will be coming down. The patio will be restriction free as of July 1st.
Inside, restrictions aren’t changing yet.
“We’re going to keep our density lower and we are requesting that people bring a mask, whether you’re sitting inside or out so that should you have to go inside, you use it inside.”
Trolez said with the Delta variant circulating and many waiting for second doses of vaccines the business wants to be careful and asks customers to mask indoors when away from their table.
“We are hoping to send a message of caution out to the general public but also for ourselves having to make that decision on how to curate our space going forward,” said Trolez.
Trolez said they have been dealing with mask confusion throughout the pandemic but she says hopefully people will continue to carry a mask.
Trolez said she hopes the city keeps the mask bylaw in place for at least the next few weeks.
“We’re going to monitor the situation, be mindful of vaccine supply, the Delta variant numbers and make decisions accordingly.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.