Here's what the new regional COVID-19 restrictions mean for Albertans

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Alberta, the province introduced new regional measures for “hotspots” during a Thursday afternoon press conference.

These restrictions include changes for schools, indoor fitness, and indoor sport, performance, and recreation activities in areas experiencing high numbers of COVID-19 cases around the province. The new measures are as follows.

Schools (effective Monday, May 3):

• Grades 7 to 12 must shift to online learning.
• Kindergarten to Grade 6 students will continue in-classroom learning, unless Alberta Education approves a shift to online learning.

Fitness activities (effective Friday, April 30):

• All indoor fitness activities are prohibited, including:
  • group physical activities, such as team sports, fitness classes, and training sessions
  • one-on-one lessons and training activities
  • practices, training, and games
• Outdoor fitness activities may continue if all other province-wide restrictions and safety measures are followed.

Indoor sport, performance, and recreation activities (effective Friday, April 30):

• All youth and adult indoor sport, performance, and recreation activities are prohibited.
• This applies to all youth activities, including for students still learning in classrooms.
• All indoor recreation facilities must close. Outdoor recreation amenities can remain open to public access unless specifically closed by public health order.

Premier Jason Kenney told Albertans that these restrictions will apply to municipalities or regions in Alberta where there are at least 350 cases per 100,000 people, and a minimum of 250 active cases.

Currently, hotspots include Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Fort McMurray, Airdrie, Strathcona County, and Grande Prairie.

The enhanced measures will be lifted once a municipality falls back below the threshold, no sooner than 14 days after being put in place.

• See also:
  • Alberta introduces regional restrictions as COVID-19 cases continue to rise
  • 73 more Calgary flights identified with confirmed COVID-19 cases
  • Alberta reports highest number of active COVID-19 cases since pandemic began

The government may also implement a curfew in areas where case rates are significantly high (specifically where case rates are above 1,000 per 100,000 people), or if a region requests it.

In addition to these new measures, all other province-wide restrictions remain in effect.

A detailed listed of the new targeted restrictions and current hotspots can be found on the Government of Alberta’s website.