Alberta now booking second COVID vaccine doses, Stage 2 of easing restrictions starts June 10

Kenney touted the progress that has been made on the vaccine front, especially since only a small percentage has resulted in adverse events.

(Government of Alberta)

Stage 1 of the “Open for Summer Plan”, the new approach to lifting COVID-19 restrictions started Tuesday, June 1.

Stage 1 sees the following restrictions eased:

Places of worship – 15% of fire code occupancy (effective May 28)
Outdoor social gatherings – up to 10 people (indoor social gatherings still not permitted)
Outdoor physical, performance, and recreation activities – up to 10 distanced people, all ages
Personal and wellness services can re-open, by appointment only
Funeral services – up to 20 people, not including facility staff, funeral clergy, or organizers not considered guests (receptions remain prohibited)
Wedding ceremonies – up to 10 people, including officiants, bride/groom, witnesses (receptions remain prohibited)
Restaurants – four people per table max, outdoors, households only or two close contacts for those living alone
Retail – 15% of fire code occupancy (must maintain the ability to distance)
Distancing and masking requirements remain in effect

Premier Kenney announced that, because Alberta has already met the threshold for Stage 2, that will indeed start on June 10.

Stage 2 includes:

Outdoor social gatherings – up to 20 people with distancing (indoor social gatherings still not permitted)
Indoor recreation, entertainment and other settings (rec centres, arenas, cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, libraries) – open at 30% of fire code occupancy
Gyms and fitness studios – open for solo and drop-in activities and indoor fitness classes with three-metre distancing
Funeral services – up to 20 people, indoors and outdoors (receptions permitted outdoors only)
Wedding ceremonies – up to 20 people, indoors and outdoors (receptions permitted outdoors only)
Places of worship – 1/3 of fire code occupancy
Personal and wellness services – resume walk-in service
Post-secondary – resume in-person learning
Restaurants – six people per table max, indoors or outdoors
Retail – 1/3 of fire code occupancy (must maintain ability to distance)
Youth activities (day camps, play centres) – resume with restrictions
Youth and adult sports – resume with no restrictions, indoors and outdoors
Outdoor public gatherings (concerts/festivals) – up to 150 people
Outdoor fixed seating facilities (grandstands) – 1/3 seated capacity
Work from home order is lifted but still recommended
Distancing and masking requirements remain in effect

Details on the Open for Summer Plan can be found here.

Progress on COVID-19 vaccinations in Alberta can be found here.

by David Opinko