Alberta’s Restriction Exemption Program will be removed beginning Feb. 8 at 11:59 p.m.
Premier Jason Kenney announced on Tuesday that the REP had served its purpose by getting the province’s vaccination rates up.
“We had to do something to get our vaccination rates up,” said Kenney. “The threat of COVID 19 to our healthcare no longer outweighs our broader social health.”
He stated that active cases of COVID-19 are dropping, including positivity rates as well as hospitalizations due to the virus.
Kenney commented that nearly 40% of cases in hospitals with COVID are not there to be treated for COVID.
Public health restrictions in the province are to be removed in three stages.
Stage 1- Takes effect on Feb. 9
- Restrictions Exemption Program removed
- Restrictions on food and beverage at entertainment venues removed, other restrictions remain.
- Capacity limits removed for all except large capacity venues
In effect on Feb. 14
- No masking requirements for children and youth 12 and under
- No masking requirements for children and youth in schools for any age
Stage 2- Takes effect March 1 at 12 a.m.
- Indoor masking no longer required
- Remaining school requirements removed
- Youth screening no longer required for entertainments/sports
- No capacity limits on all large venues and entertainment venues
- Limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings lifted
- Mandatory work from home lifted
Stage 3 – Date to be determined
- COVID operational and outbreak protocols lifted in continuing care facilities
- No longer required to isolate
