Premier Jason Kenney. (Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

COVID vaccines coming to Lethbridge, single Albertans can meet families for Christmas

Dec 22, 2020 | 3:10 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Premier Jason Kenney and Health Minister Tyler Shandro made a trio of COVID-related announcements Tuesday that should offer a glimmer of hope with Christmas right on the horizon – unfortunately, they did not all fit in one headline.

First, the province has now received 25,350 doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.

Calgary and Edmonton will receive 6,825 doses each while Red Deer will get 1,950. The following 10 communities will get 975 doses each:

• Lethbridge
• Pincher Creek
• Medicine Hat
• Brooks
• Camrose
• Drumheller
• Edson
• Fort McMurray
• Grande Prairie
• St. Paul

Up to this point, the vaccines have been reserved solely for those in Alberta’s two largest cities.

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To date, just over 3,000 critical healthcare workers have been vaccinated. The new doses will also be given to those in the healthcare sector.

Second, Shandro said that amendments have been made to allow certain health services to resume:

• Massage therapy sessions will be allowed for those who have a referral from a physician and prospective patients will be able to get referrals for massages
• Private counselling services can resume
• Visits at home will be allowed for people at the end of their lives for family members, friends, or faith leaders

Finally, Kenney stated that some Albertans might be able to meet with their families in person after all.

From December 23-28, single Albertans will be able to join another household for one gathering. During that time, households can host up to two single people for an event.

“It will make a world of difference for single Albertans who, otherwise, would not be able to meet their families over Christmas,” says Kenney.

The ban on large social gatherings will remain in place over the holiday season.

For Tuesday’s update on COVID-19, there were 1,021 new cases provincially. One person from South Lethbridge died as a result of the virus.

READ MORE: COVID death reported in South Lethbridge, 1,021 cases confirmed in Alberta