Stage 2 is Here: What Does That Mean?

Alberta has officially entered Stage 2 of the provincial relaunch strategy. What does that mean for your family?

Keep in mind that while some facilities may technically be allowed to re-open or resume full occupancy, it’s ultimately up to each individual location to determine their own readiness to open and safety policies. Please make sure to check ahead before visiting.

Don’t feel pressured to jump into situations you’re not comfortable with right away – you get to choose when you and your family are ready for each new step. Use your best judgement.

Facilities which will be allowed to re-open include:

• K-12 schools for requested diploma exams and summer school
• Libraries
• Places of worship (with physical distancing and no singing)
• Wellness services
• Esthetic services
• Movie theatres and theatres, with restrictions
• Community halls, with limits on attendance based on activity
• Team-based sports, with restrictions
• Indoor and outdoor recreation, fitness and sports, with measures in place
• Indoor fitness centres, pools and arenas, with measures in place
• Instrumental concerts
• Alberta provincial campgrounds at full capacity

Regulations and recommendations for places where people gather:

• Maintain a distance of 2m where possible
• Indoor social gatherings may have 50 people (with physical distancing)
• Outdoor events and indoor seated events may have 100 people (with physical distancing)
• Worship gatherings are allowed with no cap on attendance (with physical distancing)
• Restaurants, cafes, lounges and bingo halls have no cap on attendance (with physical distancing)
• Masks are still recommended for all places where physical distancing is challenging
• Festivals, concerts, and large sporting events are still restricted

Summer camps and programs:

• Permitted cohort group size has been increased to 50 people, including staff and volunteers
• Physical distancing should be encouraged while possible, but is not strictly enforced
• Program operators must keep daily attendance for contact tracing purposes
• Any child exhibiting even mild symptoms of a cold may not attend any day program; if a child exhibits any symptoms while attending the program, they will be isolated from the group and a parent or guardian will be required to come pick them up

Self-isolation and travel:

• Still required to self-isolate for 14 days if returning from outside Canada.
• Recreational travel outside the province is still not encouraged; however, travel inside the province is now completely acceptable

Cohort groups:

• Households may form ‘cohort groups’ (groups without physical distancing) up to a maximum of 15 people, assuming no one is exhibiting symptoms
• Performers and local region-only sports teams may have cohorts up to 50 people
• People may be part of both a sports/performing and household cohort (we are waiting for clarification on this)

Some of these regulations seem a little confusing or contradictory, we know! It’s hard to know how to keep things safe while also enjoying the benefits of re-opening.

Our general recommendations based on the circumstances:

• Wash and/or sanitize your hands frequently; avoid touching your face
• Continue to wear masks when shopping or visiting crowded indoor/outdoor spaces
• Consider hosting gatherings and playdates outside
• Choose less busy times to go shopping and run errands
• If you, someone in your household, or anyone you have been in close contact with is exhibiting symptoms, self-isolate and let anyone else you have visited with know right away
• Cases will inevitably increase in the short term; be aware of changing circumstances and make adjustments to your behavior as necessary
• Be understanding and patient with different comfort levels among your friends and family; don’t pressure anyone to do anything they’re not ready for yet
• Give everyone plenty of space!

Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine!