Update MARCH 1,2022
Update FEBRUARY 8,2022
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Update October 21,2021
Ā The Federal Government announced a National Vaccine Certification Program, and end to the existing CEWS/CERS program and the launch of 2 new subsidy programs:
- Tourism & Hospitality Recovery Program
- Ā Hard Hit Businesses Program.Ā
National Vaccine Certification Program
The Prime Minister announced that all provinces and territories have signed on to use the same proof of vaccination system (Smart Health Cards).Ā This provides clarity for Canadians as they travel domestically and internationally.Ā The Smart Health Cards system has already been rolled out by several provinces and all three territories, with the remaining provinces expected to roll out in the coming weeks.Ā This system is one that is being used by other countries, specifically the US.
Having one system will make it easier for businesses to feel assured that they are getting accurate information.Ā The reader for this system for use by businesses has already been developed and is free to down load.Ā
The federal government is promising to promote this system internationally, so that border agencies, organizations, and businesses across the globe will be able to recognize and rely on these passports as Canadian documents because of the placement of a āCanadaā word-mark in the upper-right hand corner.
The federal government is covering the costs of this program.
** ALBERTA IS NOT PART OF OF THE PROGRAM AT THIS POINT **
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Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program
Eligibility: 40% revenue loss over 12 months (March-March) or for the period that the business is usually open for seasonal businesses + 40% revenue loss for the claim period.
Start date: October 24, 2021
End date: May 7, 2022
Subsidy: Dollar for dollar wage and rent subsidy starting at 40% to a max of 75%.Ā E.g. if your revenues are down 47% you would get 47% subsidy, if your revenues are down 95% you would get 75% subsidy.Ā Subsidy will reduce by 50% as of March 2022.
CERS cap has been extended from $300,000 to $1 million.
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Eligibility: 50% revenue loss over 12 months (March-March) or for the period that the business is usually open for seasonal businesses + 50% revenue loss for the claim period.
Start date: Oct 24, 2021
End date: May 7, 2022
Subsidy: Sliding scale.Ā If you are down 50% revenue, you would receive 10% subsidy.Ā If you are down 75% revenue, you would receive 50% subsidy.Ā Subsidy will reduce by 50% as of March 2022.
CERS cap has been extended from $300,000 to $1 million.
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If your business is affected by a regional lockdown, you will be deemed to have met the 12 month test automatically.Ā Definition of lockdown as used in previous programs.
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Canadian Hiring Credit
Extended to May 7, 2022
Bumping incremental payroll to 50%.Ā Must be 10% revenue loss since March 2021.
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CRB ā ended
Sickness benefit is being extended.
Caregiver benefit is being extended.
Canadian Worker Lockdown Benefit: if an employee loses work due to lockdown, the employee will receive $300/week for the lockdown period.
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Update July 1,2021
All restrictions lifted, including ban on indoor social gatherings Mandatory isolation and quarantine rules remain in place Masking is still required in hospitals, continuing care, mass transit, ride shares and taxisĀ
Update June 1,2021
Stage 1 of Alberta’s #OpenForSummer plan starts today! Albertans can now enjoy outdoor patios, haircuts and more physical activities. Find out more:Ā https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx
Update May 26,2021
Alberta will enter Stage 1 on June 1.
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Update May 4,2021
- Outdoor social gatherings ā Effective May 5
- All outside social gatherings must be limited to no more than five people.
- This is a decrease from the previous 10-person limit.
- Mandatory physical distancing must be maintained at all times between members of different households.
- All indoor social gatherings are still prohibited.
- IndoorĀ fitness ā Effective May 5
- All indoor fitness must close, including for one-on-one training.
- FuneralsĀ ā Effective May 5
- No more than 10 people can attend funeral services, including participants and guests.
- This is a decrease from the current limit of 20 people, and brings funerals in line with wedding services.
- Wedding and funeral receptions are still not permitted.
- Retail ā Effective May 5
- Retail services must limit customer capacity to 10 per cent of fire code occupancy (not including staff) or a minimum of five customers.
- The 10 per cent capacity limit at shopping malls will exclude common area square footage.
- Curbside pick up, delivery and online services are encouraged.
- Post-secondary institutions ā Effective May 5
- All post-secondary learning must shift to online learning only.
- Places of worship ā Effective May 5
- Faith services are limited to in-person attendance of 15 people. This is a decrease from the previous 15 per cent capacity limit.
- Physical distancing between households must be maintained at all times.
- Virtual or online services are strongly recommended.
- Drive-in services where people do not leave their vehicles and adhere to guidance are allowed.
- Hotels/motelsĀ ā Effective May 5
- Hotels and motels can remain open but pools and recreation facilities must close.
- Working from homeĀ ā Effective May 5
- Working from home remains mandatory unless the employer requires the employee’s physical presence to operate effectively.
- Where at work for operational effectiveness, employees must mask for all indoor settings, except in work stations or where two-metre physical distancing or adequate physical barriers are in place.Ā
- Work place transmissionĀ ā Effective May 5
- Any workplace, except work camps and essential and critical services, with transmission of three or more cases will be required by health officials to close for 10 days.
- Any workplace that does not comply will be subject to enforcement.
- Schools (K-12) ā Effective May 7
- All kindergarten to Grade 12 students will temporarily shift to at-home learning, starting on May 7. Students will return to in-class learning on May 25. Exceptions will continue to be available for students with disabilities so they can continue to attend in-person classes as necessary.
- Restaurants, bars, pubs, lounges and cafes ā Effective at 11:59 pm on May 9
- In-person dining on patios is prohibited. Only take out or delivery services are allowed.
- Personal and wellness servicesĀ Ā ā Effective at 11:59 pm on May 9
- Hair salons, barbers, nail salons, estheticians, tattoos and piercing, must close.
- Previously, these were allowed by appointment only.
- Health, social and professional services ā Effective at 11:59 pm on May 9
- Regulated health services, such as physicians, dentists and chiropractors, can remain open by appointment only.
- Non-regulated health services, such as massage therapists and kinesiologists, can remain open by appointment only.
- Professional services, such as lawyers and photographers, can remain open by appointment only.
- Social services, such as shelters and not-for-profit community kitchens, can remain open.
- Sports, performance and recreationĀ Ā ā Effective at 11:59 pm on May 9
- All outdoor sports and recreation are now prohibited except with members of your household or, if living alone, two close contacts. This is a decrease from the current limit of 10 people.
- This includes:
- all group physical activities, such as team sports, fitness classes, training sessions
- all one-on-one lessons and training activities
- all practices, training and games
- All indoor sport and recreation is prohibited, including youth sports.
- All indoor performance activity is prohibited, including youth performances.
- Professional sport organizations that have received an exemption can continue, provided protocols are strictly followed.
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Update April 30 , 2021
Targeted restrictions will apply to municipalities or regions where there are at least 350 cases per 100,000 people and 250 currently active cases.
Indoor sport and recreation ā effective April 30
- All youth and adult indoor group physical activities, including team sports and one-on-one training sessions, are prohibited.
- Outdoor sport and recreation activities may continue under provincewide restrictions currently in place:
- Outdoor team sports where two-metre distancing cannot be maintained at all times (such as basketball, volleyball, soccer, football, slo-pitch and road hockey) remain prohibited.
- Outdoor fitness training is allowed, as are physically distanced group fitness classes with a maximum of 10 participants.
- Outdoor group physical activity with different households must be limited to 10 people or fewer and two-metre distancing must be maintained at all times.
- All indoor recreation facilities must close. Outdoor recreation amenities can be open to public access unless specifically closed by public health order
These measures will remain in place for at least 2 weeks:
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Additional Albertans are now eligible to book a COVID-19 immunization as part of phase 2B through AHS online & Health Link 811. This includes those with underlying health conditions born in or before 1973.Ā https://bit.ly/31OxPur
AHS has made enhancements to the online booking tool to allow up to three additional family members who are eligible to receive their vaccine to book at the same time and at the same clinic.Ā https://bit.ly/3umCUGs
Eligible Albertans can also book their COVID-19 immunization at participating pharmacies by visiting:Ā https://www.ab.bluecross.ca/…/covid-19-immunization…
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Update April 7 , 2021
- Starting April 7 at 8 a.m., anyone born in 2005 or earlier with eligible underlying health conditions can book appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine at participating pharmacies or with Alberta Health Services (AHS) online or by calling 811.
- Albertans aged 55 to 64 who do not have a chronic health condition can now make an appointment to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. Effective immediately, anyone born from 1957-1966 can book appointments now at participating pharmacies across the province. AHS will also begin booking appointments starting on Monday, April 12.
- Bookings for rapid flow clinics in Grand Prairie, Fort McMurray, Red Deer, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat will be open on Friday April 9. With further clinics to open in Edmonton and Calgary next week.
- Alberta will soon expand its vaccine rollout at participating pharmacies to allow walk-in bookings, rather than appointment only.
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Update April 6 , 2021
We will update with additional information as it becomes available.
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Update April 1 , 2021
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Update March 8, 2021
Update March 1, 2021
Restrictions eased March 1:
- Further easing of indoor fitness activities
- Libraries
Mandatory restrictionsĀ ā ProvincewideĀ ā Revised March 1
Team sports are not permitted
- No sports games, competitions, team practice or league play of any kind is allowed.
Individual and group fitness activities are permitted, with restrictions
- All indoor fitness must be must be scheduled or by appointment ā no drop-insĀ allowed.
- Low intensity individual and group exercises are now allowed without a trainer.
- Low intensity fitness includes activities not focused specifically on cardio, that have a low depth and rate of respiration.
- Examples include: barre, pilates, stretching, tai-chi, low intensity yoga (e.g. hatha, yin), light weightlifting, indoor rock climbing.
- High intensity activities are permitted for one-on-one or one-on-one household training only, with a trainer.
- High intensity fitness is often focused on cardiovascular activities that have a high depth and rate of respiration.
- Examples include: bodybuilding/heavy weightlifting, aerobics, rowing, Zumba, bootcamp, circuit training, cross fit, dance fitness, high intensity interval training, kickboxing, spin, power yoga, swimming etc.
- Gym, studio, and fitness centre operators should use their best judgement in identifying what category their group exercise classes fall into based on these examples.
Safety requirements:
- One-on-one sessions cannot interact with others and there must be a minimum of 3 metres distance between pairs of trainers and clients (aka sessions) in the same facility.
- Trainers must be professional, certified and/or paid trainers who are providing active instruction and correction. Passive supervision of a physical activity is not considered training.
- Trainers must remain masked during the session. Clients are not required to wear a mask while doing high intensity exercise.
- Regardless of the type or intensity of exercise, trainers and clients must be separated by 3 metres at all times.
- More than one trainer and client āpairā are allowed into the facility, studio, rink, court, pool, ice surface, etc. with restrictions:
- Each trainer and client pairĀ mustĀ stay 3 metres away from all other trainers and clients at all times, including in entryways and exits.
- Each trainer can only interact with their assigned client, and each client can only interact with their assigned trainer.
- No interaction between clients or between trainers is allowed.
- No ācycling throughā multiple trainers as in circuit training.
Update February 10, 2021
The Critical Worker Benefit will provide a one-time payment of $1,200 to eligible Albertans in recognition of their hard work to provide Albertans with the care and critical services they need.
The benefit will be distributed to more than 380,000 workers in the health-care, social services, education and private sectors.
Applications from private sector employers will open starting Feb. 17, 2021 online at alberta.ca/criticalworkerbenefit
https://www.alberta.ca/critical-worker-benefit.aspx
Update February 8, 2021
Starting FEBRUARY 8, step 1 of The Path Forward to ease COVID-19 restrictions is underway.
Limited indoor and outdoor childrenās sport and performance activities, one-on-one indoor personal fitness with a trainer, and dine-in service at restaurants, cafĆ©s and pubs are now permitted provincewide.
š½ļø In-person service at restaurants, bars & cafes allowed with restrictions.
š Children and youth allowed to participate in lessons, practices and conditioning activities for indoor and outdoor team-based minor sports and athletics. All games continue to be prohibited.
šļø One-on-one individual and one-on-one household training is now permitted for indoor fitness activities.
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Update January 29, 2021
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Update January 14, 2021
Update January 7, 2021
Alberta will not loosen its current COVID-19 restrictions on businesses until Jan. 21, 2021– at the earliest.
While in-class learning for K-12 students will resume next week as planned, casinos, hair salons, tattoo parlours, libraries, gyms and dine-in service at restaurants will remain closed. Retail services, shopping malls and places of worship will also need to keep capacity at 15 per cent of fire code occupancy.
Update December 15, 2020
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The Government of Alberta has responded to requests for clarification on the latest COVID-19 restrictions as they apply to the equine community.
It is critical that the Albertans work together to protect the health system and slow the spread of COVID-19. Everyone has the responsibility to help bend the curve over the next 4 weeks. The protocols below do not replace the mandatory, province-wide restrictions that are in place. These have been provided to ensure the health and welfare of the equines and must be followed.
Stables and Barns
- Horses in stables can be accessed by their owners for feeding, watering, veterinary care and exercise where required and deemed essential to the equineās health
- To limit the number of people in a stable at any given time; stable owners/managers should set schedules/appointments
- All required sanitization protocols must be in place and followed
- Masks are required within a stable, tack room, etc.
- Social gatherings are NOT permitted in the stable, tack room, etc.
Indoor Riding Arenas
- Arenas are closed for public access (e.g. no walk inās, no spectators, no parents, no friends, etc.)
- To ensure the health and welfare of equines,individual riding is allowed
- Indoor riding is ONLY allowed to ensure the maintenance and health/welfare of the horse(s)
- 2-meter distancing is mandatory and must be maintained at all times; it is the responsibility of the business owner to ensure this is followed
- To limit the number of people in an indoor arena at any given time; business owners/managers should set schedules/appointments for individuals
- The 15% fire code occupancy does not apply to indoor arenas; the number of people in an arena is determined by the ability to maintain 2-meter distancing at all times; the business owner is responsible to ensure this is followed
- Lessons are not allowed
- Masks are not required while riding
- Therapeutic riding is not allowed at this time due to the close contact required
Outdoor Equine Activities
- Are permitted under the maximum of 10 persons with social distancing
- Outdoor lessons are permissible up to a maximum of 10 persons, including the instructor
- Masks are not required while riding and 2-meter distancing is required at all times
Tack
- If tack is shared between riders, it must be sanitized as required and riders must sanitize before and after use. As a community, we can make a difference and bend the curve, we are in this together.
Please visit the Government of AlbertaāsĀ Ā websiteĀ Ā for more information.
Effective December 8, 2020
Expanded health measures will be in effect province-wide.
All Albertans, businesses, organizations and service providers must follow all new health measures.
New expanded mandatory measures come into effect Dec. 8 for social gatherings and mandatory masking.
All others come into effect 12:01 a.m., Dec.13.
SOCIAL GATHERINGS – Effective Immediately
- All indoor and outdoor social gatherings ā public and private ā are prohibited. This does not apply to service visits from caregivers, health or child care providers and co-parenting arrangements.
- Close contacts are limited to household members only. Individuals who live alone may have the same two non-household close contacts for the duration of this restriction.
MANDATORY MASKING ā Effective Immediately
- The mandatory indoor public masking requirement will be extended province-wide.
- Applies to all indoor workplaces and facilities outside the home. Applies to employees, visitors and the general public.
- Farm operations are excluded.
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PLACES OF WORSHIP ā Effective Dec. 13
- All places of worship will be limited to 15% of fire code occupancy for in-person attendance, with physical distancing and masking.
- Virtual or online services are strongly encouraged
- Drive-in services where individuals do not leave their vehicles and adhere to guidance will be permissible and are not subject to capacity restrictions.
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RETAIL SERVICES ā Effective Dec. 13
- Retail services must reduce customer capacity to 15% of fire code occupancy, with a minimum of 5 customers.
- Curbside pick up, delivery and online services are encouraged.
- Shopping malls will be limited to 15% of fire code occupancy.
CLOSURES ā Effective Dec. 13
- Restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes will be closed to in-person service. Only take out, curbside pickup and delivery services are permitted.
- Casinos, bingo halls, gaming entertainment centres, racing entertainment centres, horse tracks, raceways, bowling alleys, pool halls, legions, and private clubs will be closed.
- Recreational facilities ā fitness centres, recreation centres, pools, spas, gyms, studios, day and overnight camps, indoor rinks and arenas ā will be closed.
- Entertainments businesses and entities ā libraries, science centres, interpretive centres, museums, galleries, amusement parks and water parks ā will be closed.
- Hotels may remain open but must follow restrictions ā no spas, pools or in-person dining. Room services only.
- Personal and wellness services, including hair salons, nail salons, massage, tattoos, and piercing, will be closed.
- Health services, including physiotherapy or acupuncture, social or protective services, shelters for vulnerable persons, emergency services, childcare, and not-for-profit community kitchens, or charitable kitchens will remain open for in-person attendance.
WORK FROM HOME ā Effective Dec. 13
- Mandatory work from home measures will be implemented unless the employer determines that work requires a physical presence for operational effectiveness.
RESTRICTIONS AT A GLANCE
These restrictions will be in place for a minimum of four weeks.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as required.
First and foremost, ensure the information you are receiving is credible.
Credible resources include the World Health Organization (WHO),
Health Canada and your own provincial health departments (links below).
Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
World Health Organization (WHO)
https://www.who.int/
Alberta Health Services
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/
Government of ALBERTA
Government of CANADA
Stay Connected While Working Remotely
During this challenging time as we practice social distancing, keeping connected is still just as important. We want to support our community and to ensure people are encouraged and empowered to work from home efficiently and effectively. PLEASE SEE LINK BELOW FOR HELP ON SETTING UP VIDEO CONFERENCING:
If you have any concerns or need help, do not hesitate to reach out.
Stay Connected While Working Remotely
During this challenging time as we practice social distancing, keeping connected is still just as important. We want to support our community and to ensure people are encouraged and empowered to work from home efficiently and effectively. PLEASE SEE LINK BELOW FOR HELP ON SETTING UP VIDEO CONFERENCING:
If you have any concerns or need help, do not hesitate to reach out.
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AHS – COVID TESTING
Alberta is leading Canada and most of the world in COVID-19 testing, which is one of the main reasons why weāre now in a position to safely and thoughtfully re-open our economy.
Whether you have symptoms or not: book your appointment for COVID testing today at ahs.ca/COVID
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
INFORMATION FOR FINANCIAL RESOURCES WILL BE UPDATED AS MORE INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT :Ā Canadaās COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT:
Measures to protect businesses and organizations from the economic disruption of COVID-19 and position Alberta for recovery.
INFORMATION FOR VOLUNTEERS
https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/cpe-covid-19-factsheet-volunteers
Stay Connected While Working Remotely
During this challenging time as we practice social distancing, keeping connected is still just as important. We want to support our community and to ensure people are encouraged and empowered to work from home efficiently and effectively. PLEASE SEE LINK BELOW FOR HELP ON SETTING UP VIDEO CONFERENCING:
If you have any concerns or need help, do not hesitate to reach out.