Phase 2 of the province’s plan to restart the economy is set to get underway this week.
Premier Jason Kenney announced on Tuesday more businesses will be allowed to reopen and different activities will be allowed to resume on Friday, under certain restrictions.
This includes libraries, summer school, community halls, team sports, wellness and personal services, movie theatres, indoor recreation fitness and sport facilities, instrumental concerts, casinos, and bingo halls.
Kenney says this is a big step towards getting back to a sense of normalcy.
“The last three tough months have left use bruised and grieving, the deep economic and fiscal wounds will take some time to heal but though we were bent, we have not been broken.”
Phase 2 is starting one week earlier than expected. Originally, the province was looking at June 19 as a possible relaunch date.
Over the past four weeks, the number of active cases, hospitalizations, and ICU visits have continued to decrease despite Phase 1 of the province’s relaunch plan underway.
“I’m confident we will approach Stage 2 of relaunch with the same adaptability, responsibility, and resilience.”
The size of gatherings is also increasing.
Indoor social gatherings, including weddings, funeral receptions, and birthday parties, can now have a maximum of 50 people. Outdoor and indoor seated events can have as many as 100 people.
There are no limits on worship gatherings, restaurants, cafes, lounges and bars, casinos, and bingo halls as long as they continue to follow all distancing requirements.
“There will be more cases, more hospitalizations, and sadly there will be more deaths. There will be local outbreaks and some of those may require targeted measures to stamp them out,” added Kenney.
Not included in Phase 2 are vocal concerts, major festivals and concerts, large conferences, trade shows and events, nightclubs, amusement parks, hookah lounges, and major sporting events and tournaments.
More information on the province’s economic relaunch plan can be found on the GoA’s website.