Alberta launches online resource for reopened businesses

Note: While local parks, shops, and events are beginning to reopen, Alberta Health Services is reminding individuals to monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. And if you’re not feeling well, they recommend staying home at this time. If you decide to go out, maintain the 6-feet physical distancing guidelines.

Alberta is slowly but surely reopening businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premier Jason Kenney announced at the start of May that the province’s relaunch strategy would see coronavirus restrictions eased and some businesses reopened throughout the month, beginning on May 1 with Stage 0.

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Stage 1, which is expected to include the partial reopening of retail services, barbershops, restaurants, and more, could be launched as early as May 14, according to Kenney.

Province of Alberta

In preparation for the reopenings, the Province of Alberta has also launched their Alberta Biz Connect, an online resource that will help the province’s businesses reopen their doors responsibly.

The website is currently available for Stage o businesses, a release from the province states, while sector-specific guidelines will be made available for those opening in Stage 1.

“As businesses reopen, we’re committed to making sure they have the information they need to operate during the pandemic and get people back to work,” said Minister of Economic Development, Trade, and Tourism Tanya Fir in the release.

“We expect businesses to follow these safety measures so that we can continue to reopen our economy while protecting the health and safety of all Albertans.”

Alberta Biz Connect also includes a red tape reduction submission form for business owners who want to share ideas about modernizing regulations.

According to the release, the website currently offers guidance documents for the following:

• Disability service providers
• Farmers markets
• Golf course operators
• Health non-essential services
• Health sector PPE guidelines
• Homeless shelters
• Industrial work camps
• Private/municipal campgrounds

Once Stage 1 is enacted, the site is also planning to provide documents relating to the following:

• Day camps
• Daycare and out-of-school care
• Hair salons and barbershops
• Museums and art galleries
• Outdoor recreation
• Places of worship
• Restaurants
• Retail

Albertan business owners can head over to the Province of Alberta’s website to find the relevant resources.