The government of Alberta has implemented new restrictions to deal with the rising numbers of COVID-19, as well as a monetary reward for getting vaccinated.
Premier Jason Kenney, was joined by Minister of Health Tyler Shandro, and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw to provide an update on COVID-19 on Friday, September 3.
Premier Kenney described the current rising COVID-19 numbers as “A crisis of the unvaccinated," noting that unvaccinated Albertans between the ages of 20- 59 have a 50-60 per cent chance of being hospitalized due to COVID-19. Overall unvaccinated Albertans make up 80 per cent of hospitalizations since July 1.
“Vaccines are safe, effective, and a game-changer. This is why the current wave is different than what we’ve experienced before. While we do not need to return to the same widespread and dramatic measures we had in place earlier in the pandemic, unvaccinated Albertans, in particular, are still at risk and are placing a heavy load on our healthcare system. This is why we are taking measured steps and introducing a new incentive program to encourage more Albertans to get the jab,” said Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health.
According to a release, the province has reintroduced mandatory masking for all indoor public spaces and workplaces starting September 4th. Schools are not required to implement masking but school boards will continue to set COVID-19 management policies. Employees must mask for all indoor settings, except in work stations or where two-metre physical distancing or adequate physical barriers are in place.
Also as of September 4, liquor service at restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs, nightclubs, and other licensed establishments will be required to end at 10 p.m.
Albertans are also encouraged to limit in-person contacts. The province strongly recommends that unvaccinated Albertans limit their indoor social gatherings to close contacts of only two cohort families up to a maximum of 10 people.
The province also encourages employers to pause their plans to have staff return to work and continue with work from home measures.
“As I have always done, I use the best currently available evidence from Alberta and around the world to inform my recommendations to protect the health of Albertans. With hospitalization rates rising, it is important that we take additional steps to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. My ultimate goal continues to be to shift from pandemic to endemic and put more focus on the complete health of Albertans – we must learn to live with COVID. Getting vaccinated today is the best possible way for us to get there,” said Dr. Hinshaw.
The Premier also announced that it would be the first province to provide a personal monetary reward for getting a vaccine. Albertans receiving their first or second shot will be eligible for a $100 prefilled debit card.
Albertans also learned from Dr. Verna Yiu, AHS, President and CEO, that Alberta ICU is at over 95 per cent capacity, and AHS is postponing some non-urgent scheduled surgeries. In Central Zone, they will be postponing 40 per cent of endoscopy surgeries and 30 per cent of scheduled surgeries.
“It is imperative that we maintain capacity in our hospitals, not just for patients with COVID-19, but for any Albertan who needs care and critical care, said Dr. Yiu.
She says they are building additional surge beds across the province. They have added an additional 47 beds, on top of the 173 baseline.