Wednesday, April 7, 2021 Vol. 44, No. 14
$1 includes GST
YOUR LOCAL PAPER
BACK TO PHASE 1 Tighter restrictions return as Alberta enters third wave of pandemic; COVID variants of concern outpacing slow immunization process Patricia Harcourt Editor
Citing the fact that over 2,000 Albertans have lost their lives to the COVID-19 virus, Premier Jason Kenney has decided to revert the province back to Step 1 health care restrictions. The move is to try and control a spike in cases, driven by the variants which now make up 40 per cent of the new cases. Kenney attributed the problem to non compliance of the restrictions by some, especially people in social gatherings. He cited the example of “table hoppers” in restaurants who unwittingly spread the virus. “We are taking strong action to stop the third wave from threatening our health system and the health of thousands of Albertans,” he stated. “The rapid rise in cases, especially variants of concern, makes this a critical time to stop the spread. These measures will buy us some time for additional COVID-19 vaccines to arrive and take effect so we can once again start safely easing restrictions as quickly as possible.” As of midnight on Tuesday, April 6, further restrictions were put on retail, fitness, and performance activities. As of noon on Friday, April 9, restaurants will not be allowed to have indoor dining. Takeout, delivery, and patio services will still be allowed. Kenney stated the measures were necessary in order to curb the spike of cases. And he
reminded Albertans that before the Easter holiday, he had pleaded with Albertans to follow the health restrictions that were in place at the time. But with cases continuing to rise at about 1,000 per day over that weekend, and variant numbers surging from 100 per day two weeks ago to almost 800 on Tuesday, Kenney said he felt he must act. Variants are far more contagious and are starting to hit young people in a serious way, he said, citing the P.1 variant which has spread from one person to many others within the family and the community. Kenney said already there is one death and two in intensive care from this one outbreak. “Those variants are a real enemy,” and people must continue to fight and adhere to restrictions, “tired as they may be.” He predicted that the people getting the virus now, five per cent will be in hospital within the next two weeks. And he said the surge now is “well on the way” to surpassing the second surge of the virus last fall. “If we don’t slow down this curve (hospitals) will hit capacity by mid-May,” he said, noting that this is occurring just as the vaccines are starting to give a sort of immunity for many people. Calling it a tough choice, he said the only responsible choice to save lives is to take immediate action by returning to Step 1 of the province’s 4-Step plan.
As of midnight on Tuesday, April 6, libraries were to close although online services would still be allowed. Retail services and shopping malls will be limited to 15 per cent capacity, fitness centres will only be allowed to do one-onone training for individuals or households indoors. This includes dance studios, figure skating training, and gyms. No indoor group fitness is allowed of any kind, but outdoors up to 10 persons are allowed. Adult performance activities won’t be permitted including dancing, singing, acting, playing a musical instrument, or any kind of rehearsal or theatrical performance. Restrictions taking effect as of noon on Friday, April 9, include the banning of indoor in-person service in restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges, and cafes. Takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery services are still allowed, as is outdoor patio dining. People allowed to congregate include household members or two close contacts for someone who lives alone. Worship services are still being restricted to 15 per cent capacity inside the building. Social gatherings indoors are still being restricted as previously. Health Minister Tyler Shandro later stated that social gatherings “continue as a major source of the virus (spread).” The good news for many is that there will be no change to personal and wellness services which remain available by
appointment only. This includes hair and nail salons, and places which provide tattoos, massages, and piercings. Also available will be health services such as physiotherapy, acupuncture, child care, and social services for the vulnerable such as soup kitchens. Kenney also introduced a three-part plan to get ramp up immunizations to try and outrun the virus to the finish line. Calling vaccines “the best hope,” he discussed wanting two-thirds of people protected by vaccines or exposure to the virus by the end of June. “This is the end of the tunnel,” he said, calling it “the path to freedom.” With 400,000 doses of vaccine received within the last week, the vaccine ramp up will include opening bookings for everyone over the age of 16 in Phase 2B, making half a million people eligible overnight. And people ages 55 to 64 are all being invited to get the AstraZeneca shot. Kenney said doses will soon be shipped out to pharmacies. Rapid flow-through clinics will be set. up in large facilities within several larger communities in the province “to accommodate large numbers” of people coming to be vaccinated, said Kenney. Plus, pharmacies will become walk-in vaccination clinics instead of the current need to book an appointment. “Vaccinations are our ticket out of this,” he said, citing the fact that deaths in seniors have
dramatically dropped since most have now been vaccinated. He urged everyone to hold together awhile longer. “We can only do this together,” he said. Kenney then warned that the alternative will be a surge in cases that will fill the hospital and ICU beds so much that surgeries will have to stop and there will be more deaths. Shandro stated that he knew the new rules were disappointing to many, but added: “I firmly believe these mandatory requirements…are only a temporary setback to a more normal life.” “The rising spread of variants means that we must take stricter measures in order to protect capacity in our health system and save lives,” stated Shandro. “These mandatory new health measures will only be needed for a short while as we vaccinate Albertans as quickly as possible.” Kenney said that by the end of May, “half of Albertans will have achieved some level of protection,” with that increasing to 64 per cent by the end of June. If the vaccine ramp up works and the protection level increases that much, he predicted that people will be able to have their fairs and festivals returning. Kenney appealed to those in the faith community who are opposing restrictions for their places of worship to consider that the sanctity of life and need to protect the most vulnerable are prime tenets of these communities and their faith.