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Easing of provincewide health measures will occur in steps based on COVID-19 hospitalization benchmarks. These steps and benchmarks will provide a transparent approach to easing restrictions for businesses and individuals while protecting the health-care system.

Each step has an associated benchmark of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, including intensive care patients. Changes to restrictions will be considered once a benchmark is reached. See the benchmarks and more information.

Additional health measures will be eased for restaurants, indoor fitness and some children’s activities, effective Feb. 8. More information.

Step 1 of Alberta’s four-step framework to ease restrictions is based on a COVID-19 hospitalization benchmark of 600, including intensive care patients. This benchmark was reached on Jan. 28. The full, four-step framework for easing restrictions can be viewed here.

The Government of Canada announced new rules on international travel. The government and Canada’s airlines have agreed to suspend all flights to and from Mexico and Caribbean countries until April 30, 2021. This will be in effect as of January 31, 2021. More information.

Statistics Canada is currently hiring approximately 32,000 people for census enumerator and crew leader positions across Canada. For more information on the jobs available for the 2021 Census and the hiring process, please visit the 2021 Census jobs FAQ. For any questions regarding the online recruitment application, please refer to the Online job application FAQ. Find more information

The federal government announced the launch of the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program, or HASCAP. Through HASCAP, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will work with participating Canadian financial institutions to offer government-guaranteed, low-interest loans of up to $1 million. Hard-hit businesses, like a chain of hotels or restaurants with multiple locations under one related entity, could be eligible for up to $6.25 million. More information.

Alberta’s government is investing $17 million to ensure the stabilization of performing arts, sports and rodeo organizations. Alberta’s live experience organizations have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. They have lost a full season of programming and revenue but still have ongoing overhead costs. The Stabilize Program will provide one-time grant funding to support live experience presenting and performing arts, sport and rodeo organizations. The funding will help these organizations continue to operate and reopen when it is safe to do so. More information.

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