Update on COVID-19 in Alberta from the Chief Medical Officer:
Aggressive public health measures are being implemented across the province to help limit the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta. These new measures include:
SCHOOLS, POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS
• Effective immediately, student attendance at Alberta schools is prohibited.
• Post-secondary classes are cancelled. Campuses will remain open.
• Every K-12 student will receive a final mark and students will progress to their next grade level next year.
• Provincial assessments, such as provincial achievement tests, will be cancelled.
• Diploma exams essential for post-secondary acceptance will continue. Every student who is eligible to graduate from Grade 12 this year will graduate.
• Government will work with post-secondary institutions to ensure these COVID-19 measures don’t prevent students from being eligible for admission to post-secondary studies for the coming school year.
• Teachers and other school staff are still expected to work, either from home or at their workplace, to ensure the expectations are met. Decisions on how to do this are still to be made.
CHILDCARE FACILITY CLOSURES
• All licensed child care facilities, out-of-school care programs and preschool programs are closed indefinitely
• Approved day homes are exempt because they care for fewer than seven children at a time. These programs are encouraged to use enhanced sanitation practices.
CONTINUING AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES LIMITATIONS
• Only essential visits to any continuing care or long-term care facility in Alberta are recommended at this time
• Individuals over 60 years old and those with pre-existing health conditions are most at risk of severe symptoms from COVID-19.
• Families and friends of those in these facilities are asked to think of other ways besides visiting that they can support and encourage their loved ones through this difficult time.
PLACES OF WORSHIP
• Places of worship are no longer exempted from the recommended restrictions on mass gatherings.
• We understand how this might impact Albertans’ way of life, but this decision has been made to keep us all healthy and safe.
NEW CASES
• 17 new cases have been confirmed in Alberta bring the total number of cases to 56.
• Three of the new cases are in the Edmonton zone. Seven of the new cases are in the Calgary zone.
• Two of the new cases identified have been traced to community spread. Seven cases occurred from a single gathering in Calgary.
• All Albertans are strongly encouraged to follow public health guidance and do their part to keep themselves and their communities safe through good hygiene practices, social distancing and other protective measures.
MASS GATHERINGS
• Public health officials continue to recommend that all mass gatherings of 250 people or more are cancelled, now including worship gatherings.
• Any event with more than 50 attendees and expects to have international participants, or involves critical infrastructure staff, seniors, or other high-risk populations, should also be cancelled.
For more information on these measures and what it means to you, visit alberta.ca/COVID19.