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Premier Jason Kenney. (Government of Alberta)

Stage 1 of easing COVID-19 restrictions now in effect across Alberta

Jun 1, 2021 | 6:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Some public health measures have now been lifted.

Stage 1 of the Alberta Government’s “Open for Summer Plan” was enacted Tuesday, June 1.

It was achieved when the province met both thresholds – having half of Albertans aged 12 or older receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and COVID hospitalizations falling under 800.

Eased restrictions under Stage 1 include:

  • 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

Alberta could enter Stage 2 shortly.

It is triggered two weeks after 60 per cent of Albertans have received at least one dose and hospitalizations are under 500.

As of this publication, 62.8 per cent of the population has been at least partially immunized and 439 Albertans are hospitalized with COVID-19.

Eased restrictions under Stage 2 include:

  • 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

Stage 3 would start two weeks after 70 per cent of Albertans 12+ have been vaccinated against COVID-19 at least once.

This would be the final stage in the Open for Summer Plan and would see nearly all restrictions lifted.

It is expected that Stage 3 could start in late June or early July.

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

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