WESTLOCK – Masks will once again be mandatory for all indoor public spaces and workplaces in Alberta starting tomorrow, Sept. 4.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, health minister Tyler Shandro, chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw and AHS CEO Dr. Verna Yiu announced the measures on Sept. 3, saying that due to over 30 per cent of the eligible population not being fully vaccinated and the rise of the Delta variant, additional measures needed to be implemented.
“We as a government don’t get to choose how the virus behaves or how people choose to protect against it, we just have to find a way to limit the damage that it causes, especially to our healthcare system,” said Kenney during the update. “For the love of God, please get vaccinated.”
Schools will not be required to implement masking, but school divisions will continue to set COVID-19 policies as deemed appropriate. The mask mandate was first lifted July 1 as part of Stage 3 of the province's Open for Summer plan.
Locally, COVID-19 cases have continued to rise in all three communities in the Town & Country region over the past two weeks. As of Sept. 3, there were 40 active COVID-19 cases in Westlock County, 34 in Athabasca County and 14 in the County of Barrhead.
As of Sept 3, 53.7 per cent of all ages in Westlock County, 54.9 per cent in Athabasca County, and 47.8 per cent in the County of Barrhead are fully vaccinated.
Mask up!
Masks are now required in all workplaces except for in workstations, such as cubicles or desks. The Government of Alberta has strongly recommended that employers revert to work-from-home if possible.
In the case of some medical exemptions, anyone who is unable to wear a mask must have a medical exception letter from an authorized health professional like a nurse, physician or psychologist.
Additionally, as of Sept. 4, all restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, nightclubs, and any other licensed establishments will no longer be permitted to serve alcohol past 10 p.m.
Officials are also encouraging Albertans to limit in-person contacts and strongly suggest that unvaccinated citizens limit their indoor social gatherings to a maximum of 10 people.
The province has also announced a new incentive for vaccination, offering a one-time incentive of $100 to Albertans ages 18 and older who receive their first or second dose of vaccine between Sept. 3 and Oct. 14.
