Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman. (From M.D. of Wood Buffalo video)

By Karsen Marczuk

Spearman optimistic about provincial re-opening plan this summer

May 26, 2021 | 4:13 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB- Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman says the provincial government’s “Open for Summer Plan” looks promising, but it will only be possible if people continue to get vaccinated.

“More vaccines into more people will equal a faster re-opening for businesses most affected by the public health orders,” says Spearman. “Premier [Jason] Kenney made it clear today that if we get the numbers in order, we can move forward and move forward soon.”

READ MORE: Province announces three-stage plan to ease restrictions

As of Wednesday, 56.1 per cent of people of all ages on the city’s north side have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose, with 59.8 per cent of people on the west side, and 60.6 per cent on the south side.

“The opportunity to open is now before us, we have a benchmark on how to get there and when we can anticipate a return to some sense of pre-pandemic normalcy,” explained Spearman. “But, we all have to do our part to get there, and to get there first and foremost includes getting vaccinated and following the public health protocols while there in place.”

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The mask bylaw will remain in place until Stage 3 is met. At that time, city council will have the ability to remove the bylaw at any time throughout the year. Spearman says, “it depends on how comfortable we feel the situation is locally and what numbers are at.”

There are no final details yet for summer events around the city. Organizations are continuing to work out the details and the planning phases following the announcement today.

“I’m not sure what will happen by the third week in August [for Whoop-Up Days], we will just have to play it by ear, but I imagine that over the next few weeks as the numbers change, we will begin reviewing what may or may not occur [this summer],” added Spearman.

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Spearman says he is optimistic that Lethbridge and Alberta will be able to meet each threshold over the next month.

As of Wednesday, nearly 58 per cent of eligible Albertans have received their first dose.

In order to move to Stage 2, 60 per cent of Albertans will need to have their first dose with hospitalizations under 500. To reach Stage 3, at least 70 per cent of Albertans will have had to receive their first dose.