Premier Jason Kenney -- Image from province live stream

By Connor Gunn

New temporary “targeted” COVID-19 restrictions announced for Alberta

Dec 21, 2021 | 4:21 PM

EDMONTON, AB – In large Alberta public settings, Premier Jason Kenney is announcing new “targeted” COVID-19 measures.

Health Minister Jason Copping says, starting at midnight on Christmas Eve, venues with at least a 1,000 person capacity will be limited to half capacity such as NHL games.

The new mandatory measures taking effect at 12:01 am on December 24 are:

• For venues in the Restrictions Exemption Program – 50 per cent capacity limit at venues that seat more than 1,000 people. For venues with a capacity of between 500 and 1,000 occupants, 500 is the limit.
• No food or drink consumption in seated audience settings or during intermissions in the above-mentioned venues.
• There is no impact on venues under 500.
• Maximum table capacity of 10 people in restaurants, pubs, and bars. No mingling between tables.
• No interactive activities at restaurants, pubs, and bars (e.g., dancing, darts, and billiards).
• Restaurants, pubs, and bars must stop liquor service at 11 pm, and close at 12:30 am.

Copping says the province needs to avoid these “super-spreader events.”

Week-in-review: Municipal election changes, a leadership debate and green bins

Apr 27, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 26, 2024

Apr 26, 2024

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

“These new measures, along with more boosters and rapid test availability, will help slow the spread of COVID-19. These efforts are critical as work continues to prepare our healthcare system for potential challenges from the Omicron variant. I know Albertans are tired of the pandemic, but we need to take what we have learned from previous waves and urgently apply it to our current situation.”

The provincial release says additional resources are being given to Albertans such as at-home rapid test kits.

“In addition to ongoing orders for rapid tests from the Government of Canada, Alberta’s government will directly purchase up to 10 million rapid tests for anticipated delivery in January, allowing Albertans to secure immediate supplies.

More than 2.5 million rapid tests, or 500,000 rapid test kits, have already been made available to Albertans in the broad rollout that began on Dec 17.

Additional supplies have been received from the federal government and are being shipped to participating AHS and pharmacy locations. If you have not already picked up your kit, visit alberta.ca/CovidRapidTests to find the location nearest you with available stock, as many locations still have supplies available.”

As well, booster shots are being given to Albertans aged 18 and over.

Read more: Province expands booster eligibility to all Albertans aged 18 and over

More information on Tuesday’s article can be at COVID-19 info for Albertans.