By Thomas I. Likness
EBC Edmonton Bureau
EDMONTON (Eagle News) — All non-essential businesses in the western Canadian province of Alberta have been ordered to close as the battle to stop the spread of COVID-19 continues.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney also said Friday the maximum size of group gatherings has been reduced from 50 people to 15. He said this includes family gatherings such as weddings and funerals, as well as religious celebrations. The new restrictions will also apply to people going outdoors.
“While getting outdoors for fresh air and exercise is important to both our physical and mental health, this must not occur in groups of more than 15 people,” said Kenney. “At all such gatherings, indoor and out, the two-meter social distancing guideline must be observed.”
Kenney said the closure of non-essential businesses include close contact businesses, like hair salons and barber shops, as well as wellness studios and clinics.
The order means health care practitioners such as dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, chiropractors and physiotherapists must close their offices.
All dine-in restaurants will be closed but will be allowed to sell take out food.
Non-essential retail businesses such as clothing stores, computing and gaming shops, specialty item and furniture stores must lock their doors.
“The actions we’re taking are tough, but necessary to protect public health,” said Kenney. “We understand that behind every such decision lies tens of thousands of jobs and businesses that will throw people into economic and financial anxiety.
“The more that we comply with rules like these being recommended by our public health experts, the faster we can get through all of this and restart our economy.”
Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, said the government could take even tougher measures such as prohibiting all gatherings as has been done in Quebec.
“We have taken quite restrictive measures,” said Hinshaw. “We will continue to watch the impact of those measures, watch our community transmission.”
The latest figures from Alberta Health Services reveal there are 542 cases of COVID-19 as of Friday. Fifty-six of those cases were reported in the previous 24 hours.
Hinshaw said 42 of the cases are believed to have been caused by community transmission.
Only two people in Alberta have died of COVID-19.
(Eagle News Service)