COVID-19: State of public health emergency. Mandatory measures remain in effect provincewide.
Bend the curve
Due to Alberta’s continued high case numbers, aggressive action is still required to protect our health system from being overwhelmed. We need to be careful not to remove restrictions too quickly.
Restriction changes to outdoor gatherings, funerals and personal and wellness services come into effect January 18. All other mandatory restrictions remain in place until further notice.
Provincial and regional health trends will continue to be monitored and assessed over the coming weeks to determine if further easing of restrictions may be considered.
Translated resources
COVID-19 resources are available in Af-Soomaali, Arabic, 中文, हिंदी, 한국어, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, Español, Français, Tagalog, Tiếng Việt and Urdu on alberta.ca/CovidTranslated.
Gathering restrictions
Alberta declared a State of Public Health Emergency to reduce cases and protect the health care system. Social gatherings are the top source of transmission of COVID-19.
All indoor social gatherings are prohibited. Outdoor social gatherings can have up to 10 people (as of Jan. 18). This will be enforced with $1,000 fines.
Masks, workplaces, schools and child care
- Masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces and workplaces.
- Working from home is mandatory when physical presence is not required.
- Current child care and K-12 learning measures remain in effect.
Business and service restrictions
Some businesses are required to temporarily close, reduce capacity or limit in-person access.
Effective January 18, personal and wellness services can open by appointment only. All other restrictions remain in effect.
Public health orders
Orders issued by Alberta's chief medical officer of health:
- Order 42-2020 (masks, gatherings, business restrictions)
- Order 44-2020 (counselling services, end of life visits and group physical activities)
Financial support
Canada’s COVID-19 economic response plan
Financial support programs are available to help people, families and businesses facing hardship as a result of COVID-19.
Small- and medium-enterprise relaunch grant
Funding is available for small- and medium-sized businesses, co-ops and non-profits impacted by COVID-19 to offset a portion of their costs.
Why these measures are needed
Albertans have a responsibility to slow the virus's spread and make sure the health system can continue supporting patients with COVID-19, influenza and many other needs.
There is a time lag between when people get infected and when new cases are identified. This means the cases we see today were infected up to 2 weeks ago.
We must work together to protect each other. The greater the community spread, the more likely it will infect our loved ones most at-risk of severe outcomes, including death.
What else you should do
Albertans must continue following existing public health measures to keep everyone safe:
- Stay 2 metres apart when you can, wear a mask when you can't
- Practice good hygiene: wash your hands often and cover coughs and sneezes
- Monitor your symptoms every day
- If sick, stay home, get tested, and follow mandatory isolation requirements while waiting for results:
- if positive, isolate from others for 10 days or until symptoms are gone, whichever is longer
- if negative, stay home until you're better
- Avoid non-essential travel
- Get the flu shot to keep influenza cases low so health workers can focus on the COVID-19 pandemic
- Download and use the ABTraceTogether contact tracing app when out in public
Enforcement
If you violate a public health order, you may be subject to a $1,000 fine. Additionally, you can be prosecuted for up to $100,000 for a first offense.
If you are concerned someone is not following public health orders, you can:
- remind them that not following orders is against the law and puts people at risk
- request service from AHS public health inspectors online or call 1-833-415-9179