We have come a long way since COVID-19 measures were first introduced by the City of Lethbridge. (Photo: City of Lethbridge, March 19, 2020)

By Mario Cabradilla

Lethbridge and Alberta lift remaining COVID-19 restrictions

Jun 14, 2022 | 6:45 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge is lifting its remaining COVID-19 health restrictions as of 12:00 a.m. June 15, 2022.

According to City of Lethbridge Director of Community Services Mike Fox, the City of Lethbridge will follow Alberta’s decision to lift the remaining COVID-19 health restrictions across the province.

“We rely on the province for anything really related to health,” said Fox, “and so with the announcement, we believe in the province’s Chief Medical Officer and the decisions they make.”

The provincial government announced June 13 that it will move to Step 3 of its reopening plan, and remove its remaining restrictions. Effective 11:59 p.m. on June 14, 2022, the province will lift health measures including ending mandatory isolation and removing mandatory masking.

For the City of Lethbridge, Fox said that means, “We won’t be requiring proof of vaccination for employees that are being hired [and] at the transit buses, masks will no longer be required.”

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The Government of Alberta said in a June 13 news release that the rate of new hospitalizations for COVID-19 is declining.

The weekly average hospitalization rate was at its peak on April 26, 2022 at 20.7 per day per million population before dropping to 6.6 per day per million population as of June 9, 2022.

The provincial government said despite easing restrictions, the province will continue to keep Albertans safe.

Alberta Minister of Health Jason Copping said, “We need to live with COVID-19 while accepting that it will continue to be present. We’ll continue to work to keep Albertans safe by ensuring access to vaccines, antivirals and rapid tests, through ongoing COVID-19 surveillance, and by enhancing healthcare system capacity.”

The provincial government also encourages Albertans to receive all vaccine doses that they are eligible to take.

“Learning to live with COVID-19 does not mean forgetting about it,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “As we bring COVID-19 management in line with other respiratory diseases, it will continue to be vital that we receive our primary vaccine series and any additional booster doses we are eligible for, and continue good habits like washing our hands regularly and avoiding being around others if we feel sick.”

Alberta Health Services (AHS) and contracted health facilities will continue to have masking and other health measures in place for infection prevention and control.

The provincial government news release stated, “The Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) orders in continuing care will be rescinded by June 30, but some measures in continuing care settings will remain in place through standards and policy. This includes maintaining practices like isolation of symptomatic residents, outbreak protocols and masking.”

The province continues to provide rapid tests for free and without requiring an Alberta Health Care card. Visit alberta.ca/CovidRapidTests to find a location nearby.

Vaccines are available across Alberta by appointment or via walk-in. Call 811 or go through the Alberta Vaccine Booking System to set up an appointment.

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