Premier Jason Kenney speaking during a press conference on July 15, 2021 (Photo by Chris Schwarz / Government of Alberta)

By Abby Zieverink

Changes to COVID isolation policy follow Dr. Hinshaw’s recommendations: Kenney

Aug 4, 2021 | 10:17 AM

Premier Jason Kenney is attributing science and data as the key reasons behind the decision to lift all COVID-19 isolation requirements.

Last week, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, announced starting August 16, Albertans who test positive for COVID-19 will no longer be required to isolate; although it will still be strongly recommended.

Kenney says Dr. Hinshaw and her team presented their plan to lift isolation requirements on July 8 to the COVID emergency cabinet committee. Kenney adds that both himself and his government accepted the proposal without modification.

“The proposal that came forward from the Chief Medical Officer of Health based on science and data… particularly on the powerful science data behind the effective effect of the vaccine, which she says has dramatically changed the context of COVID-19.”

Kenney says part of the decision to stop mandatory isolation requirements on August 16 was because of what he sees as strong vaccine uptake in the province. He pointed to the fact that two-thirds of eligible Albertans (those aged 12 and older) are fully vaccinated and three-quarters have received at least their first dose of the vaccine.

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“These are levels that are almost unprecedented in the world… they’re a little behind the Canadian (average) but they’re well, well ahead of the international average,” said Kenney.

“I am confident, and we are confident that obviously of the powerful, effective effect of the vaccine is a complete game-changer.”

Kenney states the decision was not based on financial resources as the provincial government spent $1.5 billion on top of the $20 billion health budget last year for COVID-19 related health care, and added $1.25 billion for COVID health contingency.

“That’s 2.75 billion dollars, approaching three billion dollars, on COVID-related health spending alone. If additional spending was necessary, we would be there to provide that financial resources,” said Kenney.

“What Dr. Hinshaw articulated in her announcement last week was our need for our public health infrastructure to deal with more than just one disease.”

COVID-19 restrictions being changed effective starting August 16 include:

• Provincial mandatory masking orders will be lifted. Some masking in acute care or continuing care facilities may still be required.
• Isolation following a positive COVID-19 test result will no longer be required, but strongly recommended.
• Individuals with symptoms of any respiratory infection should still remain at home until symptoms have resolved.
• Staying home when sick remains an important way to care for those around us by not passing on any infection.
• Isolation hotels and quarantine support will no longer be available.
• Testing will be available for Albertans with symptoms when it is needed to help direct patient care decisions.
• This testing will be available through assessment centres until Aug. 31; after that, testing will be in primary care settings including physicians’ offices. For those with severe illness requiring urgent or emergency care, testing will be available in acute care and hospital settings.