Alberta's ready to lift restrictions over the summer

The Alberta government has released a "Open For Summer Plan" which consists of three phases to lift quarantine measures in the province. Residents have hope for an unrestricted summer if they continue to follow recommended health measures and the number of people vaccinated increases.

"This is the day we've all been waiting for. We now have a clear plan to remove all public health restrictions and return to normalcy," said Provincial Premier Jason Kenney.

Stages depend on vaccination and the number of hospitalizations related to COVID-19:

• first stage — two weeks after a single vaccination, 50% of residents older than 12 years, the number of hospitalizations is less than 800 and decreases;
• second stage — two weeks after a single vaccination, 60% of residents older than 12 years old have fewer than 500 hospitalizations and the number of hospitalizations decreases;
• third stage — two weeks after a single vaccination of 70% of residents older than 12 years.

Alberta reached a 50% vaccination rate on May 18. If the number of hospitalizations is less than 800, the first phase of the lifting of restrictions will go into effect as early as June 1. Given the current rate of immunization, the second phase is expected in mid-June and the third phase in late June or early July.

The details of the "Open For Summer Plan" are as follows.

First Stage. Starting May 28:

• religious meetings are allowed with a limited capacity (15% of the norm).

As of June 1:

• gatherings of up to 10 people in the open air are allowed, it is forbidden to gather indoors;
• it is possible to dine in the patios of restaurants, no more than 4 people at one table, and they must be members of the same family, but if the person lives alone, they are allowed to dine with two other people;
• outdoor sports and recreational activities are limited to a maximum of 10 people with a distance limit;
• retail stores can accommodate up to 15% of occupancy;
• personal and wellness services are provided by appointment;
• wedding ceremonies can be attended by up to 10 people, including the newlyweds, guests and staff;
• funeral ceremonies can be attended by up to 20 people, not including staff and organisers;
• it is obligatory to wear masks and keep a distance.

Second Stage:

• outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people and distance are allowed;
• wedding and funeral ceremonies may be attended by up to 20 people, celebrations and commemorations are only allowed outdoors;
• it is possible to dine in restaurants (inside and outside) with a maximum limit of 6 people per table, and they do not have to be members of the same family;
• the limit on the number of people in retail stores, at religious gatherings, and in other premises (sports arenas, cinemas, galleries, museums, theaters, and libraries) is increased to one-third of the norm;
• open gyms for individual exercise or outdoor exercise, with a distance of at least 3 metres;
• youth and adult sports indoors and outdoors are resumed without restriction;
• children's day camps and play centres may operate with restrictions;
• are allowed to provide personal and wellness services;
• colleges and universities are returning to full-time education;
• employees are encouraged to work remotely, but this is not mandatory;
• public outdoor gatherings (concerts, festivals) are limited to 150 people;
• it is obligatory to wear masks and keep a distance.

Third Stage:

• all restrictions are lifted, including those on meetings on the premises;
• self-exclusion requirements for people with confirmed COVID-19 remain in place;
• some measures remain in place in long-term care facilities.

Details of the plan may change slightly, the government will let you know before the next phase goes into effect. If there is a spike in illnesses in Alberta at any stage, it may be suspended and the current restrictions may be revised.