Majority of Alberta's COVID-19 health restrictions could be lifted in June: Premier

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Alberta has the capacity to administer between 400,000 and 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines if the supply is available, Premier Jason Kenney said Saturday, noting he believes most public health restrictions could be lifted in June.

Speaking during a weekend media availability, Kenney said he believes close to 70 per cent of Albertans will be protected by June from COVID-19 through a first or second dose of vaccine or through immunity from natural infection.

“I would say that based on the best projections from our public health team, we can see Alberta lifting the majority of our public health restriction in the month of June,” said Kenney

Kenney’s comments come days after he announced the province would be moving backward in their re-opening plan due to rising hospitalizations and positive cases driven by variants of concern. Restaurants had to close indoor dining, limiting them to outdoor dining or take-out orders and indoor fitness is once again restricted to one on one exercise with a trainer. Retail stores now have to comply with lower capacity limits.

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Alberta’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced Thursday that the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant first identified in the United Kingdom is now considered the dominant strain in Alberta. The variant has been found to spread more easily than the original strain of COVID-19.

Kenney said Saturday the re-opening plan is currently on hold indefinitely until there is the province can stabilize the current spike in cases that is expected to lead to more hospitalizations. He said the only way that will happen is if people follow health measures and stop social interactions.

However, the premier provided his outlook for a summer that could be considered normal as long health measures are followed and vaccines can catch up to the spread of the virus.

“In other words, I believe we’re going to have a Calgary Stampede, we’re going to have outdoor events, we’re going to have most of these restrictions lifted gradually through May and June. But we have to get through the next few weeks and beat the spike,” said Kenney.

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Kenney also announced Saturday that close to 250,000 healthcare workers involved in Phase 2C of the vaccine rollout will be eligible to book their appointments starting Monday, April 12. This includes healthcare professionals such as community physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, physiotherapists and optometrists. Those working in patient care facilities or providing direct care to clients at Alberta Health, Covenant Health DynaLife facilities will also be eligible. Support and associated staff will also be able to receive a vaccine.

A full list of those who are eligible can be found online. The latest expansion means 1.7-million Albertans in total will be eligible to book a vaccine appointment.

All other groups involved in Phase 2C will be eligible in the coming weeks, said a statement issued by the government.

The premier said AHS is currently planning to have a “stretch goal” to administer upwards of 70,000 doses a day as long as supply into the province remains steady. He also noted there are still unknowns around when the province might receive doses of the single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine as well as how willing the public will be to receive shots of the AstraZeneca vaccines.

“Really, the only thing holding us back now is dosage,” said Kenney.

dshort@postmedia.com