(Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Some non-urgent healthcare services resume May 4 in Alberta

May 4, 2020 | 6:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Starting Monday, people in Alberta will be able to get some forms of non-urgent healthcare.

The provincial government announced their phased Economic Relaunch Strategy last week which details plans for reopening different sectors.

May 4 marks the beginning of the plan’s “Early Actions.”

Alberta Health Services will resume some scheduled, non-urgent surgeries.

Other health facilities that are now allowed to operate again include dental clinics, physiotherapists, speech-language pathologists, respiratory therapists, audiologists, social workers, occupational therapists, and dieticians.

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Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said in a tweet last week that this assumes practitioners are following all approved guidelines.

The Alberta Association of Optometrists said in a statement that they look to resume service in a safe and responsible manner.

“Working within safety protocols, our doctors will now be able to provide comprehensive eye exams to Albertans as of May 4, along with urgent care. Each clinic will take the time necessary to appropriately implement the safety protocols needed to ensure patients, staff, and doctors remain safe.”

The early actions also had a focus on outdoor recreation.

As of May 1, some boat launches at provincial parks started opening up, but they should all be operational by May 14. Vehicle access to parking lots and staging areas in parks and on public lands was also allowed on May 1.

Campsites will open periodically over the next month or two. You can keep up to date here.

Private and municipal campgrounds and parks will be able to open at the discretion of local authorities.

There were originally conflicting reports on golf courses. The document LNN was provided by the provincial government said they would be allowed to reopen on Monday, May 4, but a tweet from Dr. Hinshaw said the date was Saturday, May 2.

LNN will continue to provide updates on the Economic Relaunch Strategy as it progresses.