Alberta has declared a state of public health emergency. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise, largely in unvaccinated Albertans. New measures to protect the health care system, stop the spread, and increase vaccination rates come into effect starting September 16.
Starting September 20, discretionary businesses and events must follow one of these 2 options:
- Implement the Restrictions Exemption Program requiring proof of vaccination or negative test result to continue operating as usual, or
-
Follow business capacity and operating restrictions as outlined here.
We have included some relevant highlights below. We strongly encourage businesses to familiarize themselves with the full restrictions as well as the restriction exemption program on the Government of Alberta website here.
Sport, fitness, recreation, and performance activities
Mandatory restriction - Effective Sept. 16 and 20
- Adult (over 18) sport, fitness, recreation and performance activities (Sept 20)
- The following restrictions apply unless the facility or program implements the restrictions exemption program:
- Indoor group classes and activities are not permitted.
- Indoor competitions are paused except where vaccine exemptions have been granted.
- Indoor one-on-one training and solo activities are allowed with 3 metre physical distancing.
- Outdoor activities can continue with no restrictions.
- Youth (under 18) sport, fitness, recreation and performance activities (Sept 16)
- Indoor group classes, training, and competitions are permitted, but participants are required to:
- screen for symptoms
- maintain 2 metres distancing, except youth while engaged in physical activity
- wear a mask, except youth while engaged in physical activity
- Spectator attendance is restricted to 1/3 fire code capacity, attendees are limited to a single household or 2 close contact if living alone and must be masked and maintain 2 metres physical distancing.
- Outdoor activities can continue with no restrictions.
- Day and overnight camps (Sept 16)
- Day camps required to maintain physical distancing between participants and masking indoors.
- Overnight camps must follow cohort models.
Restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, and nighclubs
Mandatory restriction - Effective Sept. 20
The following restrictions apply to businesses that do not implement the restrictions exemption program.
- Indoor dining is not permitted.
- Outdoor dining only with a maximum of 6 people per table (one household or 2 close contacts for those living alone)
- Liquor sales and consumption restrictions apply (sales end at 10pm, consumption by 11pm).
Retail, entertainments, and recreation facilities
Mandatory restriction - Effective Sept. 16 and 20
- Indoor retail, entertainment, and recreation facilities (Sept 20)
- The following restrictions apply to any indoor facility that does not implement the restrictions exemption program.
- Capacity restricted to 1/3 fire code occupancy.
- Attendees must be with household members only, or 2 close contacts if they live alone.
- Masks and 2 metre physicial distancing is required.
- Outdoor events and facilities (Sept 16)
- Fully outdoor events and venues have no capacity restrictions (excluding washrooms), but must maintain 2 metres distancing between households or 2 close contact for those living alone.
For more detailed information about restrictions, please visit the Government of Alberta website here.
