Banff 
Credit: Alberta Parks
The government of Alberta has announced Alberta’s relaunch strategy. Alberta is planning to reopen dental offices and golf courses shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic as early as Monday.
The government says boat launches are also to be made accessible on May 1 and it is working to open as many campsites as possible by June 1.
Some retail businesses, restaurants, hair salons, museums, daycares and summer camps have been given a target date of May 14.
The relaunch plan comes with restrictions — one will require people to wear masks on mass transit.
The province says schools are to reopen later, but there’s no timeline for that.
Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy
WHAT IS OPEN FROM MAY 1
- Access to boat launches will open in select provincial parks – List of Boat Launches
- Vehicle access to parking lots and staging areas on public land and parks will open – Guidelines for Visiting Alberta Parks
WHAT IS OPEN FROM MAY 2
- Golf courses with restrictions including keeping clubhouses and pro shops closed. (Earlier release said May 4)
Golf courses can open as soon as Sat. May 2 with restrictions including keeping clubhouses and pro shops closed. We will have guidance for golf courses available online tomorrow afternoon.
— Dr. Deena Hinshaw (@CMOH_Alberta) May 1, 2020
WHAT IS OPEN FROM MAY 4
- Alberta Health Services will resume some scheduled, non-urgent surgeries
- Dental and other health-care workers such as physiotherapists, speech-language pathologists, respiratory therapists, audiologists, social workers, occupational therapists, dietitians and more will be allowed to resume services starting May 4, as long as they are following approved guidelines set by their professional colleges.
On May 14
Alberta Parks’ online reservation system will be available May 14 to book site visits beginning June 1. Out-of-province bookings will not be processed.
Opening Stages
Progress to Stage 1 will occur once health measures are achieved to the satisfaction of the government based on the advice of the chief medical officer of health, as early as May 14.
What will Open in Stage 1 – May 14
With increased infection prevention and controls, to minimize the risk of increased transmission of infections, some businesses and facilities can start to gradually resume operations as early as May 14. Non-essential travel, especially travel outside the province, is not recommended. Remote working is advised where possible.
- Retail businesses, such as clothing, furniture and bookstores.
- All vendors at farmers markets will also be able to operate.
- Some personal services like hairstyling and barber shops.
- Museums and art galleries.
- More scheduled surgeries, dental procedures, physiotherapy, chiropractic, optometry and similar services.
- Daycares and out-of-school care with limits on occupancy.
- Summer camps with limits on occupancy. This could include summer school.
- Cafés, restaurants (minors allowed in liquor licensed establishments) with no bar service to reopen for public seating at 50 per cent capacity.
- Some additional outdoor recreation.
- Post-secondary institutions will continue to deliver courses, however how programs are delivered – whether online, in-person, or a blend – will be dependent on what restrictions remain in place at each relaunch phase.
- The use of masks will be strongly recommended in certain specific crowded public spaces, like mass transit, that do not allow for physical distancing (two metres apart).
What is not allowed in Stage 1
- Gatherings of more than 15 people. (Gatherings of 15 people or fewer must follow personal distancing and other public health guidelines.)
- Arts and culture festivals, major sporting events, and concerts, all of which involve close physical contact.
- Movie theatres, theatres, pools, recreation centres, arenas, spas, gyms and nightclubs will remain closed.
- Visitors to patients at health-care facilities will continue to be limited.
- In-school classes for kindergarten to Grade 12 students.
What will Open in Stage 2 – June 12
UPDATE: See here for updated list as many services from Stage 3 is now allowed in Stage 2.
Timing of this stage will be determined by the success of Stage 1, considering the capacity of the health-care system and continued limiting and/or reduction of the rate of infections, hospitalization and ICU cases.
- Will allow additional businesses and services to reopen and resume operations with two metre physical distancing requirements and other public health guidelines in place. This includes:
- Potential opening of K-12 schools, with restrictions.
- Libraries, with restrictions.
- More surgeries scheduled, including backlog elimination.
- Services offered by some allied health disciplines like acupuncture and massage therapy.
- More personal services like artificial tanning, esthetics, cosmetic skin and body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, facial treatments and reflexology.
- Larger gatherings permitted in some situations (number of people to be determined).
- Restaurants, cafes, lounges and bars continue operating at reduced capacity.
- Movie theatres and theatres, with restrictions.
Visitors to patients at health-care facilities will continue to be limited.
What is not allowed in Stage 2
- Nightclubs, gyms, pools, recreation centres, and arenas will remain closed.
- Arts and culture festivals, concerts, attendance at major sporting events and other mass gatherings will continue to not be permitted.
Recommendations
- Non-essential travel is not recommended.
What will Open in Stage 3
Timing of this stage is to be determined based on the success of stages 1 and 2 and will involve:
- Fully reopening all businesses and services, with some limited restrictions still in place.
- Permitting larger gatherings (number of people to be determined).
- Permitting arts and culture festivals, concerts and major sporting events with some restrictions.
- Permitting nightclubs, gyms, pools, recreation centres and arenas to reopen with restrictions.
- Resuming industry conferences with restrictions.
- No restrictions on non-essential travel.
Relaunch stages will also include an evaluation and monitoring period to determine if restrictions should be adjusted up or down. Triggers that will inform decisions on the lessening or tightening of restrictions include hospitalizations and intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy.
Premier Jason Kenney said, “I’m confident Albertans will approach relaunch with the same adaptability and resilience they have shown throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We will move forward together with care and common sense, knowing tough times are still ahead. We will support and protect vulnerable Albertans and keep them safe as we build our province back up one stage at a time.”
Manitoba and Saskatchewan have also announced the reopening of some businesses and services next week.
