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
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.