By: Thomas I. Likness
EBC News Service

(Eagle News) — The western Canadian province of Alberta will be scrapping most of its public health restrictions on Canada Day, July 1, Premier Jason Kenney said Friday.

“This is a happy day for Alberta,” said Kenney as he announced that Alberta officially passed the 70% vaccination threshold to trigger Stage 3 of Alberta’s Open For Summer plan.

“That means that, on July 1 — on Canada Day — Alberta’s public health measures will be lifted and our lives will get back to normal,” he said.

Measures will still be in place at continuing care facilities and people who test positive for Covid-19 will have to isolate.

But Kenney says all other restrictions will be gone, including the ban on indoor social gatherings.

“Here’s the bottom line: on Canada Day, virtually all remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be history,” Kenney said. “No more limits on weddings or funerals. No more bans on indoor social gatherings. No more limits for gyms, sports and fitness activities.”

As well capacity limits for houses of worship, retail establishments and restaurants will be lifted.

Not everyone is as excited as the premier.

Some doctors have suggested Alberta is moving too soon.

They fear the Delta variant, which has shown some resistance to the Covid vaccine, could trigger a fourth wave.

Kenny, though, urges common sense.

“That means staying home if you’re sick, getting tested if you have symptoms and for those who test positive for COVID-19, they will still be legally required to isolate.”
(Eagle News Service)