Topline information:
Alberta is easing some COVID-19 public health restrictions beginning Jan. 18.
Also, language was changed regarding school COVID-19 reporting.
In the past 24 hours, 967 new cases were reported on 16,219 tests (5.8 per cent). There were 21 more deaths, 806 people in hospital and 136 in intensive care.
What you need to know:
- Indoor gatherings remain prohibited. Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed.
- Personal and wellness services can operate by appointment only. See below for province’s list.
- Funeral services have been increased to 20 people, mandatory masking, two metres distance. No receptions.
- As of Jan. 18, the province will change school reporting terminology to the following:
- Alert – 1 to 5 cases
- Outbreak – 5 plus cases
- The City of Calgary has issued an additional 15 face coverings bylaw tickets since Jan. 6. They have issued an additional 56 public health violation tickets since Jan. 6.
Quotables:
“We are committed to clear communication, and this change in how we describe case numbers in schools helps us improve. The terms we will use going forward are more intuitive, and we hope they will help staff and parents better understand the COVID-19 situation in their schools,” – Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health
“I do think that if you’re going to blatantly put other people’s health at risk, you will face consequences,” – Mayor Nenshi when asked Thursday about continued enforcement.
Further reading:
The province’s details on changes to provincial public health rules
