These public health measures go into effect in Alberta on Sunday

Life in Alberta is going to look a bit different come Sunday.

Premier Jason Kenney announced a number of new public health measures on Tuesday in an effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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A few of those orders — a province-wide mandatory mask mandate and a ban on social gatherings both indoors and outside — went into effect immediately, but a number of others were scheduled for Sunday, December 13.

Those measures include:

• Retail services, grocery stores, shopping malls occupancy reduced to 15% of fire code capacity
• In-person attendance at places of worship limited to 15% of occupancy, along with the mandatory use of masks, physical distancing requirements, and a prohibition on post-worship social activities
• All restaurants, bars, lounges, and cafes moved to delivery and takeout service only; no in-person dining
• The closure of casinos, bingo halls, gaming centres, horse tracks, raceways, bowling alleys, pool halls, legions, and private clubs, salons, barbers, massage studios, tattoo studios, and piercing studios, recreational facilities, fitness centres, pools, gyms, day and overnight camps, indoor rings and arenas.
• Dentistry, physio, social services, emergency centres, and childcare will remain open, as well as addiction counselling, residential treatment centres, and group meetings
• Outdoor skating rinks and ski hills will be allowed to remain open
• Hotels can remain open, but hotel pools, restaurants, spas, and related services must close
• All Alberta workers must work from home, unless their employer determines that the work requires a physical presence

The orders come into effect as of 12:01 am on Sunday and are expected to be in place for a minimum of four weeks.