CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Premier Jason Kenney has announced that Alberta remains at the forefront of testing for COVID-19 and that the province continues to work to move through this challenging time.
Over 17,000 people have been tested in Alberta, with over 2,000 being tested every day.
That’s the highest per capita in North America and third in the world.
“I want to take a moment to compliment and thank Albertans for their calm and resilient approach to managing the challenges and disruptions that are affecting everyone,” Kenney said.
With the future of Alberta in mind, Kenney then thanked all those working to keep the province running.
“To hundreds of thousands of unsung heroes, thank you for what you’re doing to help keep us safe, to help keep Alberta functioning during challenging times.”
To allow for those in health care to get back to work, Kenney announced Children Service’s will be opening select licenced childcare centres next week.
The select centres will follow strict health guidelines and allow only 30 within the building at a time.
BREAKING: Kenney says select licensed child care centres with re-open next week to help ‘core service providers’.
Will be limited to 30 people, including staff.
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 20, 2020
Those in health care and municipal critical infrastructure will be the first to have the centres available for use, followed by other essential services like police and firefighters.
“We all need to operate within this new normal, which means using only the resources that we absolutely need,” said Kenney.
Kenney also announced additional support for the homeless population battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kenney talking homeless services.
Hope Mission and Mustard seed have identified more space for social distancing and surge capacity.
The Expo centre will be used for those showing symptoms or illness.
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 20, 2020
Numerous homeless shelters will be seeing expansions to help those unable to house themselves.
To deal with the extraordinary economic impact, Kenney said they will be lifting the industry levy of the Alberta Energy Regulator for six months.
It should provide relief of $113 million.
Also, all mineral agreements meant to expire in 2020 will be extended by one year.
Finally, the Economic Recovery Council was announced.
Here is the new Premier’s Economic Recovery Council. pic.twitter.com/yYdibNZDjQ
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 20, 2020
Among the many on the council is former Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“(Harper) led Canada strongly through the global financial crisis in 2008 and 2009 with one of the strongest economic records at that time in the developed world.”
