Calgary at dusk, Alberta, Canada PHOTO BY theWedge.LIVE

By theWedge.LIVE

It seems from province to province it’s the same pattern: opening softly with boat launches, golf courses and camping. Later, a few businesses and services with soft dates and endless conditions that will dampen the pleasures we have grown used to.

Entertainment, events, sport events, gyms, pools and the like are still a dream with no firm dates, to be reopened in future stages.

ALBERTA REOPENINGS WITH DATES

May 1:

• Boat launch access in select provincial parks.
• Vehicle access to parking lots and staging areas on public lands and parks.

May 2:

• Golf courses can open, with restrictions to keep clubhouses and pro shops closed. On-site shops and restaurants can open in Stage 1, consistent with other businesses and retailers.

May 4:

• AHS can resume some scheduled, non-urgent surgeries.
• Dental and other regulated health-care workers such as physiotherapists, speech language pathologists, respiratory therapists, audiologists, social workers, occupational therapists, dieticians and more can resume services as long as they follow approved guidelines set by their professional colleges.

May 14:

• Alberta Parks’ online campground reservation system will open for bookings at select campgrounds starting June 1 onward with some restrictions in place. Out-of-province bookings will not be processed.

Progressing to Stage 1 comes with a firm date, May 14th, with the following verbatim condition:

Will progress to Stage 1 gradually once health measures are achieved to the satisfaction of Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

STAGE 1 : MAY 14th OPENINGS

• Some retail businesses like clothing, furniture and book stores.
• All farmers’ market vendors.
• Some personal services like hairstyling and barber shops.
• More scheduled surgeries and dental procedures.
• Cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars can reopen for public seating at 50% capacity, but people will not be able to go to the bar to order drinks, they will need to be served at the table.
• Museums and art galleries.
• Some additional outdoor recreation.
• Daycares and out-of-school care, with occupancy limits.
• Summer camps, with occupancy limits (this could include summer school).
• Post-secondary institutions will continue course delivery, but method (online, in-person or blend) will depend on the restrictions in place at each phase.

Stage 1 allows some businesses and facilities to resume full operations as early as May 14 with enhanced infection prevention and controls in place.

Mask use will be strongly recommended in crowded public spaces, like mass transit, that do not allow for physical distancing of 2 metres apart.

Continuing restrictions

• Gatherings of more than 15 people will not permitted.
• Gatherings of 15 people or fewer must follow physical distancing and other public health guidelines.
• Public attendance at businesses, facilities and events that have close physical contact will not be permitted, including: arts and culture festivals, major sporting events and concerts.
• Movie theatres, pools, recreation centres, arenas, spas, nightclubs and gyms will remain closed.
• Visiting patients in health care facilities will remain limited.
• In-school classes for kindergarten to Grade 12 students will remain prohibited.
• Physical distancing restrictions will be maintained.

Meanwhile there is no word on Bill 10 passed April 2 without public notice. A legal challenge is being raised against its constitutionality. (Next Story!)

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