Latest Update:

New Provincial Restrictions

Overview:

Alberta has declared a state of public health emergency. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise, largely in unvaccinated Albertans. New measures to protect the health care system, stop the spread, and increase vaccination rates come into effect starting September 16.

Getting vaccinated makes us all safer. A one-time incentive of $100 is available for Albertans 18+ who get their first or second dose between September 3 and October 14.

Restriction exemption program

Starting September 20, discretionary events and businesses must follow one of these 2 options:

1. Implement the Restrictions Exemption Program requiring proof of vaccination or negative rapid test result to continue operating as usual, or

2. Follow capacity and operating restrictions as outlined on the page below.

Business Requirements

Businesses that implement the Restrictions Exemption Program can operate as usual if they only serve people (ages 12 and over) who have:

• proof of vaccination

• single dose accepted between September 20 and October 25 if received 2 weeks before time of service
• double doses required after October 25

• documentation of a medical exemption
• proof of a privately-paid negative PCR or rapid test within 72 hours of service (tests from AHS or Alberta Precision Laboratories not allowed)

Businesses do not need to apply for the program. Audits and enforcement will occur to ensure rules are followed.

The Restriction Exemption Program would not apply to:

• businesses or entities that need to be accessed for daily living
• employees of businesses participating in the program
• children under 12

Proof of negative test

To enter spaces participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program, people aged 12 and older can show proof of a negative test result.

• Tests must be privately-paid COVID-19 PCR or rapid tests completed within 72 hours.
• Tests must not be from Alberta Health Services or Alberta Precision Laboratories.

Proof of vaccination

To enter spaces participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program, people ages 12 and older can provide proof of vaccination or documentation of a medical exemption.

• Sept. 20 to Oct. 25: proof of a single dose is considered acceptable as long as the dose was given more than 2 weeks before the time of service.
• After Oct. 25: proof of double vaccination is required.

Find out how to access your records

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Gatherings

Social Gathering (indoor and outdoor)

Mandatory restriction - Effective Sept 16.

Indoor social gatherings

• Vaccinated: Indoor private social gatherings are limited to a single household plus one other household to a maximum of 10 vaccine-eligible, vaccinated people and no restrictions on children under 12.
• Unvaccinated: Indoor social gatherings are not permitted for vaccine-eligible people who are unvaccinated.

Outdoor social gatherings

• Outdoor private social gatherings limited to a maximum of 200 people, with 2 metre physical distancing at all times.

Places of worship

Mandatory restriction - Effective Sept. 16

• Capacity limited to 1/3 fire code occupancy.
• Masks are mandatory.
• 2 metres physical distancing between households, or 2 close contacts for those living alone.

Weddings and funerals

Mandatory restriction - Effective Sept. 20

• Indoor wedding ceremonies and funeral services are permitted with up to 50 people or 50% of fire code occupancy, whichever is less.
• Indoor wedding and funeral receptions are prohibited, unless the hosting facility implements the restrictions exemption program.
• Outdoor ceremonies, services and receptions are permitted with up to 200 people and must follow liquor sales and consumption restrictions (sales end at 10pm, consumption by 11pm), unless the hosting facility implements the restrictions exemption program.

Businesses

Sport, fitness, recreation and performance activities

Mandatory restriction - Effective Sept. 16 and 20

Adult (over 18) sport, fitness, recreation and performance activities (Sept 20)

• The following restrictions apply unless the facility or program implements the restrictions exemption program:
• Indoor group classes and activities are not permitted.
• Indoor competitions are paused except where vaccine exemptions have been granted.
• Indoor one-on-one training and solo activities are allowed with 3 metre physical distancing.
• Outdoor activities can continue with no restrictions.

Youth (under 18) sport, fitness, recreation and performance activities (Sept 16)

• Indoor group classes, training, and competitions are permitted, but participants are required to:

• screen for symptoms
• maintain 2 metres distancing, except youth while engaged in physical activity
• wear a mask, except youth while engaged in physical activity

• Spectator attendance is restricted to 1/3 fire code capacity, attendees are limited to a single household or 2 close contact if living alone and must be masked and maintain 2 metres physical distancing.
• Outdoor activities can continue with no restrictions.

Day and overnight camps (Sept 16)

• Day camps required to maintain physical distancing between participants and masking indoors.
• Overnight camps must follow cohort models.

Restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and nightclubs

Mandatory restriction - Effective Sept. 20

The following restrictions apply to businesses that do not implement the restrictions exemption program.

• Indoor dining is not permitted.
• Outdoor dining only with a maximum of 6 people per table (one household or 2 close contacts for those living alone)
• Liquor sales and consumption restrictions apply (sales end at 10pm, consumption by 11pm).

Retail, entertainment, and recreation facilities

Mandatory restriction - Effective Sept. 16 and 20

Indoor retail, entertainment, and recreation facilities (Sept 20)

• The following restrictions apply to any indoor facility that does not implement the restrictions exemption program.

• Capacity restricted to 1/3 fire code occupancy.
• Attendees must be with household members only, or 2 close contacts if they live alone.
• Masks and 2 metre physicial distancing is required.

Outdoor events and facilities (Sept 16)

• Fully outdoor events and venues have no capacity restrictions (excluding washrooms), but must maintain 2 metres distancing between households or 2 close contact for those living alone.

Masks, Schools, and work from home

Masks and physical distancing

Mandatory restriction – Effective Sept. 4 and 16

• Masking and physical distancing are mandatory in all indoor public spaces and workplaces. This measure extends to places of worship as of September 16.
• Employees must mask in all indoor work settings, except while alone in work stations.

Schools (K to 12)

Mandatory measure - Effective Sept. 16 

• Mandatory masking for students in Grades 4 and up, plus staff and teachers in all grades.

• Schools that implement an alternate COVID safety plan can be exempted from mandatory masking.

• Elementary schools to implement class cohorting.
• Indoor sports, fitness, recreation, and performance activities are permitted in schools, with requirements to maintain 2 metre physical distancing where possible.

• Masks and distancing are not required by youth under 18 while engaged in physical activity.
• Spectator attendance restricted to 1/3 fire code capacity and limited to households or 2 close contacts for those living alone. Attendees must be masked and distanced.

Working from home

Mandatory measure - Effective Sept. 16

• Mandatory work-from-home measures are in place unless the employer has determined a physical presence is required for operational effectiveness.
• If employees are working on location, they must mask in all indoor settings, except while alone in work stations.

Testing, tracing and isolating

Testing

Measures in effect

• COVID-19 testing for Albertans with symptoms remains available at assessment centres.
• Asymptomatic testing is no longer recommended.
• A wastewater baseline testing program will be launched to provide area trend information and monitor variants of concern. More details will be released in the coming weeks.

Isolation and quarantine requirements

Measures in effect

• Isolation is still legally required for people who have COVID-19 symptoms or tested positive.
• Quarantine is no longer legally required for close contacts positive cases, unless directed to do so by local public health officials.
• International travellers must still follow federal travel requirements.
• Isolation hotels and quarantine supports are no longer available.

Contact tracing and case investigation

Measures in effect

• Individuals with positive tests will continue to be notified.
• Contact tracers will not notify close contacts of positive cases, but will ask that individuals do so when informed of their positive result.
• Contact tracers will continue to investigate cases in high-risk settings, such as acute and continuing care.

Outbreaks

Measures in effect

• Outbreak management and identification will focus on high-risk locations, including continuing and acute care and high-risk workplaces.
• Community outbreaks with a surge in cases leading to severe outcomes will be addressed as needed.

Health care and congregate care settings

• Existing public health orders for acute care remain in place.

For more information on current restrictions in these settings, see protecting residents at congregate care facilities.