Patios reopen, gatherings grow as Alberta advances further into Stage 1 of reopening plan
The latest round of restrictions will be relaxed as part of Alberta's "Open For Summer" plan to ease public health measures brought in to control the spread of COVID-19.
As of Tuesday, Stage 1 of the plan is in effect allowing for patio dining, personal services by appointment and additional organized gatherings.
Restaurant patios are now permitted to reopen with dining parties of up to four people per table, direct households or two close contacts for those living alone.
Outdoor social gatherings and physical activities may take place with a cap of 10 people.
Funerals may have 20 people, while weddings may have 10. Receptions and indoor gatherings are still not allowed under Stage 1.
The move to Stage 1 occurred as the province reached the benchmarks of having the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in more than 50 per cent of the eligible population and hospitalization numbers below 800.
The threshold for Stage 2 requires 60 per cent of those aged 12 and up receiving their shot and fewer than 500 people in hospital. Alberta has already met these targets and, with a mandated two-week interval between stage progression, the province could potentially advance to the next stage as early as June 10.
Stage 2 would allow for the return of sports activities for all age groups without restrictions, indoor seating at eateries and increased gathering size numbers.
The province has set a target for moving to Stage 3 by late June or early July that would lift nearly all pandemic-related restrictions.
THE LAST SHUTDOWN?
Gym owner Eric Barber is optimistic that this shutdown was the last.
“I think that this might be a turning point, but I’ve been fooled before,” said Barber, who owns Barracks Fitness.
Barber said the shutdowns have been gruelling, but added that 2021 is shaping up to be a year of opportunity, especially in Stage 2 where gyms can resume indoor fitness activities.
“We’re just going to try to recover,” he said.
“We were hit pretty hard, I think we’re set up pretty nicely to have people back indoors to give people peace of mind.”
The earliest Stage 2 could take place is June 10th.
At Distilled Beauty Bar and Social House in Marda Loop, co-owner Lachlan Muir said stage one is twofold for him as it offers personal services as well as patio dining.
“This is how our business succeeds, is (by) being open,” he said.
Salons reopened by reservation only Tuesday
He said the customer base is very loyal and typically dip both feet into manicures and a coffee.
“Not to just go to work, but to actually socialize and have people that want to be here and see us again,” he said.
Client Izabella Olechno said she waited seven weeks to get a manicure and said it's okay to spoil yourself.
“Going for coffee, going to a restaurant is one thing but doing something for yourself just to make your image, self conscious feel so much better,” she said.
'TIME TO OPEN UP ALBERTA'
The premier said this summer will be one without restrictions if hospitalization and vaccine numbers are met.
“It’s time to open up Alberta,” said Jason Kenney.
“I’m confident Albertans will clear these last hurdles and push towards a wide open summer."
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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.