CALGARY (660 NEWS) – It’s the first day Alberta could ease more restrictions but some businesses are frustrated with the province, as they still haven’t heard whether or not they can re-open.
The Alberta government said some restrictions could be relaxed March 1 if hospitalizations fell under 450. Currently, there are 250 people in hospital with COVID-19, 46 in ICU.
Some businesses are frustrated over not hearing from the #Alberta government on whether or not they should prepare to open today/this week. Several, like Goodlife, have set up tentative reopening dates/times. #yyc #yeg #COVID19AB pic.twitter.com/lWKmDiRqnV
— Saif Kaisar (@StaySaif) March 1, 2021
Under step two of the relaunch plan, some restrictions on retail shops, banquet halls, conference centres, indoor fitness and children’s programs could be lifted while indoor gatherings are still prohibited until step three.
Health Minister Tyler Shandro said the province is still looking at data and taking the COVID-19 variants into consideration.
“We are fully testing every positive case in the province, testing for the variant. We have some full genome sequencing happening as well on positive cases. We are doing tremendous work in stopping transmission.”
Many businesses have set tentative opening dates as they’re unsure what the province will decide.
GoodLife Fitness sent an email to all its members in Alberta saying it will tentatively reopen as of 12:15 p.m. Monday unless the province decides not to lift the restrictions.
Meanwhile, a group of health professionals are urging the province not to ease restrictions this week suggesting instead toughening restrictions specifically on restaurants, pubs, and bars, to try and keep the downward COVID trend going.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and Health Minister Tyler Shandro will join Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deen Hinshaw at 4:30 p.m.
