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
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.