During the Tuesday, December 8 daily COVID-19 update Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw was joined by Premier Jason Kenney, Minister of Health Tyler Shandro, and Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation Doug Schweitzer as new, enhanced restrictions and mandates were introduced for Albertans.

Expanded health measures will be in effect provincewide. All Albertans, businesses, organizations and service providers must follow all new health measures. These restrictions will be in place for a minimum of four weeks.

“Alberta has sought to protect both lives and livelihoods from the beginning of the pandemic. The recent surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations will threaten our health-care system and the lives of many vulnerable Albertans unless further action is taken now,” Premier Jason Kenney said during the update. “With the promise of a vaccine early in 2021, we can see the end of this terrible time. But all Albertans must take this more seriously than ever by staying home whenever possible, and following these new measures.”

New expanded mandatory measures come into effect December 8 for social gatherings and mandatory masking. All others come into effect at 12:01 a.m., Dec. 13.

Social gatherings – immediate

• All indoor and outdoor social gatherings – public and private – are prohibited.

• Close contacts are limited to household members only.

• Individuals who live alone will be allowed up to two close contacts for in-person visiting, with those two people remaining the same for the duration of the restriction period.

• Festivals, parades, events, concerts, exhibitions, competitions, sport and performance remain prohibited.

Masking – immediate

• The mandatory indoor public masking requirement will be extended provincewide.

• Public spaces include locations where a business or entity operates and is applicable to employees, visitors and the general public.

• Applies to all indoor workplaces and facilities outside the home.

• Farm operations are excluded.

• Rental accommodations used solely for the purposes of a private residence are excluded.

Places of worship – starting at 12:01 a.m., Dec. 13

• All places of worship will be limited to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy for in-person attendance.

• 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.

• Mandatory mask mandate, physical distancing and other guidelines remain in place.

Retail – starting at 12:01 a.m., Dec. 13

• Retail services must reduce customer capacity to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy, with a minimum of five customers permitted.

• Curbside pickup, delivery and online services are encouraged.

• Shopping malls will be limited to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy.  

Closures – starting at 12:01 a.m., Dec. 13

• Restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes will be closed to in-person service.

• Only takeout, 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 – fitness centres, recreation centres, pools, spas, gyms, studios, day and overnight camps, indoor rinks and arenas – will be closed.

• Outdoor recreation is permitted, but facilities with indoor spaces except for washrooms will be closed.

• Entertainment businesses and entities – libraries, science centres, interpretive centres, museums, galleries, amusement parks and water parks – will be closed.

• Hotels may remain open but must follow restrictions – 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, child care, and not-for-profit community kitchens or charitable kitchens will remain open for in-person attendance.

Work from home – starting at 12:01 a.m., Dec. 13

• Mandatory work from home measures will be implemented unless the employer determines that work requires a physical presence for operational effectiveness.

Closures – ongoing from Nov. 27

• Entertainment businesses and entities – community halls and centres, indoor children's play centres and indoor playgrounds, theatres, auditoriums, concert halls, and community theatres, nightclubs, banquet halls and conference centres, indoor and outdoor festivals, concerts with the exception of drive-in events, tradeshows, and sporting events or competitions, remain closed.