Check against delivery.
Thank you, Minister. Good afternoon everyone.
Before I begin, I’d like to encourage every Albertan to work with the law enforcement members and Alberta Health Services’ health inspectors who are working to enforce the rules in place.
As I have said all along, we are all in this together, and we are all on the same team.
I continue to hear some disappointing reports of AHS public health inspectors being criticized - or worse, verbally abused - as they go about their jobs.
Nobody deserves that, least of all the people who are working to keep all of us safe.
The criticism and verbal abuse that they are currently facing does not reflect who we are.
I’m asking everyone to please cooperate with them, and to treat them with respect.
I know that the restrictions currently placed on all of us are difficult, but they are not the fault of law enforcement or inspectors, who are simply trying to enforce what is in place – and to help stop the spread.
Turning to today’s case numbers, over the last 24 hours, we have identified 1,227 new cases of COVID-19 in Alberta, and completed more than 16,200 new tests.
Our provincial positivity rate currently sits at about 7.6%, and we now have 14,217 active cases.
There are 405 people in hospital, including 86 who have been admitted into the ICU.
Sadly, there were nine deaths related to COVID-19 reported to us in the past 24 hours.
I think often about the tragic impact that this virus has had on many Albertans.
Not only those who have lost a loved one, but everyone who has suffered from COVID-19, or been impacted by the restrictions we have used to prevent spread.
This is a hard time for all of us, and we need to continue to support one another through the many challenges.
In schools, there are currently active alerts or outbreaks in 356 schools, about 15% of schools in Alberta.
Currently these schools have a combined total of 1,326 active cases.
This number includes 193 schools with outbreaks, including 89 currently on the watch list.
Starting Monday, all students in grades 7 and above will shift to at-home learning until January 11.
Schools are an essential part of our children’s health and well-being, and I know that this will be difficult for many.
I would like to thank everyone for their efforts and flexibility as we make this transition.
I would also like to remind everyone living in enhanced status areas that many of the restrictions for businesses and services announced on Tuesday are coming into effect today.
I have issued a new order, number 39-2020 that legally brings these restrictions into force. This order will be posted later today.
I urge Albertans to exercise patience and kindness in the days ahead.
If a line is a bit longer than usual, or an employee asks you to follow a new policy that is in place, please do not take your frustrations out on these workers.
These new restrictions and measures create extra work and pressures for staff, owners, and operators.
I am grateful to each of them for taking them seriously and putting them into effect to closely follow each of the public health orders – you play a critical role in bending the curve.
That being said, I also encourage employees and operators to show patience for customers who may not know new measures are in effect, or who may need your help understanding what they need to do.
I know that there are many new restrictions in place, so today I wanted to touch on a few areas we’ve received questions about.
I have been asked whether the restriction on group performances is still in effect for enhanced areas.
This was originally announced in mid November.
It prohibited any group performance activity, including singing, dancing and theatre, though not in professional performance venues or as part of ordinary school classroom activities.
This ban will remain for enhanced areas.
It does not apply to individual one-on-one settings, so singing or piano lessons, for example, can still occur with appropriate precautions in place.
I have also been asked whether mutual support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and SMART Recovery, can continue to meet in person with these new restrictions.
Mutual support groups are critical to preserving Albertans’ health and well-being.
They may continue to operate in person without capacity restrictions as long as physical distancing of two metres is maintained between everyone.
However, I am encouraging these groups to consider conducting virtual sessions where possible.
This is to reduce in-person interactions, but also support those who may not be able to attend in-person.
I also wanted to clarify a couple of points about the new restrictions for places of worship.
In enhanced areas, masking is mandatory for all attendees.
I’ve been asked whether that includes times when someone is speaking at a podium, far away from others.
In those cases, speakers may remove their mask while speaking at the front provided they maintain a two-metre distance from all other individuals.
Once they’re finished speaking, they are required to put their mask back on.
We have also been asked whether group studies in private residences and home-based worship sessions can continue.
These types of gatherings are not permitted in private homes.
This means any in-home group sessions with members of different households need to take place virtually or be put on pause just for a few weeks.
I want to be clear: for the next few weeks, every one of us needs to dramatically reduce the amount of contact we have with people outside our own household.
This weekend, I am asking all Albertans to embrace this challenge.
For the next two days, do everything you can possibly think of to help bend the curve.
This does not mean you can’t enjoy life.
If you’re able to, please get some fresh air and make the most of the mild weather we’re expecting.
Reach out to someone – whether by text, by phone or email – to let them know they are not alone, that we are all in this together.
The decisions that each of us make this weekend will help determine whether cases fall, or rise, in the weeks ahead.
So please be wise, be safe, and let’s all look out for each other.
Thank you and I am happy to take questions.