Exemptions granted for post-secondary convocation ceremonies in Alberta
Alberta post-secondary institutions have been granted an exemption from public health guidelines to host indoor convocation ceremonies.
As of Oct. 7., indoor convocation ceremonies can be held in the province so long as all attendees show proof of vaccination prior, physically distance from members of different households, and wear face masks for the duration of the event.
The exemption was signed and authorized by Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer of Health.
According to the exemption letter, Hinshaw had received several requests from post-secondaries to host indoor graduation ceremonies “without implementing certain public health measures,” including allowing maximum facility capacity, speakers at an event not needing to wear a mask while at a podium, permitting group performances, and post-ceremony receptions.
Currently, public health restrictions limit indoor social gatherings to members of two households, with a maximum of 10 vaccine-eligible people, and prohibit indoor social gatherings for unvaccinated people.
Those rules will no longer apply to convocation ceremonies.
The exemption to restrictions permits indoor seated or standing dining for post-convocation ceremony receptions, but only if people are seated or gather at a standing table with members of their cohort.
The exemption can be terminated or modified by the chief medical officer of health at any time without notice.
Correction
A previous version of this article stated public health restrictions limited indoor social gatherings to a minimum of 10 vaccine-eligible people. In fact, Alberta's current rules restrict indoor social gatherings to a maximum of 10 vaccine-eligible people.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Federal government bans watercraft from Manitoba lake popular with tourists
The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.