Alberta's new restrictions came into effect at midnight. Here's what you need to know
Albertans woke up Thursday to new restrictions implemented by the province to slow the spread of COVID-19 and ease the burden on its health system.
Some of the measures Alberta introduced Wednesday evening came into effect hours later at midnight. Here are the rules that are already in effect as of 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 16:
SCHOOLS
Across the province, masks are now mandatory for students in Grades 4 and up, plus all staff and teachers.
Elementary schools are also expected to form cohorts.
There are no restrictions on outdoor activity, nor are physical distancing and masks required during physical activity.
Schools may be exempt from the mandatory mask rule if they implement an "alternate COVID safety plan."
Other indoor activities – like performances or sports – are permitted with two-metre distancing.
WORKPLACES
The province instituted a mandatory work-from-home order on Wednesday for all employees whose physical presence isn't considered necessary for their job.
PRIVATE SOCIAL GATHERINGS
Fully vaccinated Albertans are limited to socializing indoors with one other household up to a maximum of 10 people. Children under 12, who are not eligible for a vaccine, are allowed to participate without restrictions.
The same rules do not apply to Albertans who are eligible for vaccine but not immunized; unvaccinated people are not allowed to attend any indoor social gathering.
Outdoor social gatherings are permitted to a maximum of 200 people and mandated physical distancing.
OUTDOOR EVENTS
Outdoor events are not subject to an audience cap, according to the rules announced Wednesday. However, two metre-distancing is required.
PLACES OF WORSHIP
Starting Thursday, places of worship are limited to host one third of their fire code capacity.
Masks are also mandatory here, as well as physical distancing between households (or two close contacts for people living alone).
OTHER CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES
Similar to the rules applied to indoor school activities, all other children's activities are allowed to continue with distancing, masking where possible, and symptom screening.
Again, minors do not have to wear a mask or distance during physical activity.
Spectator crowds for these events, however, must be capped at one third fire code capacity, and audience members must be masks and distanced from other households.
There are no restrictions on outdoor activities.
Day camps, too, are allowed to continue with physical distancing and masking while indoors. Overnight camps must be cohorted.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
Powerful tornado tears across Nebraska, weather service warns of 'catastrophic' damage
Devastating tornadoes tore across parts of eastern Nebraska and northeast Texas Friday as a multi-day severe thunderstorm event ramped up in the central United States.