Calgary 
Credit: Govt. of Alberta
Alberta has announced that with hospitalizations dipping below 600, the province will reopen restaurants beginning February 8th.
Alberta unveiled steps and benchmarks that will provide a transparent approach to easing restrictions for businesses and individuals while protecting the health-care system. Each step has an associated benchmark of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, including intensive care patients.
Alberta says changes to restrictions will be considered once a benchmark is reached.
Premier Jason Kenney says hospitalization will be the key metric for easing restrictions further supplemented by daily numbers and case growth. The hospitalization benchmarks are:
Step 1 – 600 and declining
Step 2 – 450 and declining
Step 3 – 300 and declining
Step 4 – 150 and declining
Currently, Alberta allows:
- Outdoor social gatherings allowed up to 10 people.
- Personal and wellness services opened for appointments only.
- Funeral service attendance was raised to 20 people.
- In-person classes resumed for K-12 students (Jan. 11).
Step 1: Hospitalization benchmark – 600
Credit: Govt. of Alberta
Easing of some restrictions related to:
- Indoor and outdoor children’s sport and performance (school-related only)
- Indoor personal fitness, one-on-one and by appointment only
- Restaurants, cafes, and pubs
— See details here: What is Allowed When Alberta Reopens Restaurants Dine-In, Indoor Fitness and Some Children’s Activities Effective Feb. 8
Step 2: Hospitalization benchmark – 450
Credit: Govt. of Alberta
Potential easing of some restrictions related to:
- Retail
- Community halls, hotels, banquet halls and conference centres
- Further easing of some restrictions eased in Step 1
Step 3: Hospitalization benchmark – 300
Credit: Govt. of Alberta
Potential easing of some restrictions related to:
- Places of worship
- Adult team sports
- Museums, art galleries, zoos and interpretive centres
- Indoor seated events, including movie theatres and auditoriums
- Casinos, racing centres and bingo halls
- Libraries
- Further easing of some restrictions eased in Steps 1 and 2
Step 4:Hospitalization benchmark – 150
Credit: Govt. of Alberta
Potential easing of some restrictions related to:
- Indoor entertainment centres and play centres
- Tradeshows, conferences and exhibiting events
- Performance activities (e.g., singing, dancing, wind instruments)
- Outdoor sporting events (e.g., rodeo)
- Wedding ceremonies and receptions
- Funeral receptions
- Workplaces – lifting work-from-home measures
- Amusement parks
- Indoor concerts and sporting events
- Festivals, including arts and cultural festivals (indoor and outdoor)
- Day camps and overnight camps
- Further easing of some restrictions eased in Steps 1-3
Announcing the steps, Premier Jason Kenney said, “Albertans have done a great job of bringing our numbers down from our peak in December. We aren’t out of the woods yet, but there are opportunities where we can safely ease restrictions while also protecting our health-care system. This first step is a cautious one, and it will bring relief to many Albertans and Alberta businesses.”
