Alberta lifts nearly all COVID-19 rules in Stage 3, releases guidelines for workplace safety and kids activities

Article content

Alberta lifted nearly all mandatory COVID-19 rules entering Stage 3 on Canada Day, but at the same time released guidelines putting the onus of protecting children, adults and workers’ health during a pandemic onto individuals and business owners.

Article content

As of Thursday, rules around indoor and outdoor social gatherings, capacity limits in businesses and other venues, recreation, large events like concerts or sports, and other settings, have been lifted. Isolation and quarantine laws are still in effect. Wearing masks isn’t mandatory in most places, apart from some healthcare settings and public transit, but individual businesses and organizations can still require them.

But, the province also released guidance documents Thursday recommending individuals, businesses, and those hosting children’s activities voluntarily keep some COVID-19 preventive measures in place, as needed.

Premier Jason Kenney celebrated the end of mandatory health rules in a Thursday news release, saying it’s a fantastic day for Alberta.

Article content

“We have crushed COVID-19 and with cases plummeting and vaccine uptake climbing, we are Open for Summer. With vaccines on our side, businesses can once again thrive, and Albertans can get back to their normal lives,” he said in a news release. “Together, thanks to the sacrifices made by Albertans, we have made it through this terrible time. Now, a new day dawns and the future looks bright.”

In the release, Tyler Shandro said it was time to “safely pivot from strict restrictions to vaccine protection” and urged all Albertans to get the jab. Chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw also encouraged vaccination, that people “make safe choices,” and support each other through this transition time.

Rules for workplaces

Hinshaw previously said that although health orders are no longer in place, that doesn’t mean COVID-19 is no longer here.

Article content

In fact, the suite of guidance documents at times strongly impresses on Albertans the necessity of preventing COVID-19 from spreading, taking different approaches depending on the context.

“Operators must conduct a workplace hazard assessment, and develop and implement safe workplace practices to protect against the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections,” reads the general guidance document.

“Operators are strongly encouraged to adopt best practices for infection prevention as part of their normal operating procedures.”

Best practices recommended include promoting vaccines and increasing health measures if rates are low, following mandatory quarantine and isolation rules, using hand sanitizer and cleaning regularly.

Article content

Physical distancing isn’t legally required, but spacing out workers and the public is a good idea, it says.

“Respiratory infections tend to spread rapidly in enclosed, small spaces with a large number of people; increasing space between people reduces the risk of transmission,” it says.

New Occupational Health and Safety bulletins also remind employers they are legally required to protect employee’s health and they must do hazard assessments to look at risks and mitigate them.

Not keeping health measures in place could lead to employees refusing unsafe work, but “If your employer has implemented reasonable controls to address the risk of respiratory viruses, the associated dangerous condition should be addressed. It’s unlikely that there will be a dangerous condition under OHS legislation,” reads a bulletin.

Article content

Kids activities

Meantime, while children are the least likely to fall seriously ill from COVID-19, kids under 12 aren’t protected by vaccines because they haven’t yet been approved in Canada.

New guidance documents say those running children’s activities like sports, recreation, and performance should take a risk-balanced approach amid the pandemic.

It says risk can be reduced by limiting the number of kids in one setting, holding activities outside or in ventilated areas by opening windows or doors, assigning kids to a fixed group, limiting activities that include heavy breathing or shouting, and keeping the same staff assigned to the same group of kids.

Regular cleaning and disinfecting is encouraged, they should consider not having younger children share food. Masking may also be used.

As the virus can spread more easily if singing and heavy physical activity is involved, operators could limit the size of groups involved and keep the same staff assigned to a group, limit the number of these activities or go outside if possible.

The province also released guidelines specific to preschool and daycare operators, family day home or group childcare programs, and camps.

More to come…

lboothby@postmedia.com

@laurby