In accordance with the enhanced province-wide restrictions recently announced by the Government of Alberta, the City has closed its indoor recreational facilities. MORE »
Other Important COVID-19 News
Provincial COVID-19 Pandemic Update
City Posts April 9 COVID-19 Situation Report
Phase 2A COVID-19 Vaccinations Underway
City Co-Sponsors Small Business COVID Recovery Grant
City Facilities Impacted by Provincial restrictions
New COVID-19 Measures in Place as of November 13
The Big Picture: Regional and Provincial COVID-19 Stats
Important City-specific COVID-19 Developments
COVID-19: Stay Current on Most Recent Developments
Stronger public health measures
Mandatory, province-wide restrictions are in effect to protect the health system and slow the spread of COVID-19. Protecting Alberta’s healthcare capacity ensures that Albertans get the care they need when they need it.
See current public health measures in effect
Learn about the health system capacity in COVID-19
Outbreak update from the Government of Canada
Global situation dashboard from the World Health Organization
Stronger Public Health Measures
Public health measures will be eased in steps based on hospitalization benchmarks. Each step sets a more predictable path for easing restrictions, while protecting the healthcare system. Once hospitalizations are within range of the benchmark, decisions to move to the next step will be considered.
The lowest-risk activities in each sector will be considered for change first. Moving between steps will happen at least 3 weeks apart to assess the impact on cases.
Learn more about hospital capacity during COVID-19.
Steps based on hospitalization benchmarks:
STEP 1 <600 hospitalizations
Returned to Step 1 on April 7:
- Indoor fitness
- Youth and collegiate sport, performance and recreation activities
STEP 2 <450 hospitalizations
Potential easing in these areas:
- Further easing of indoor fitness activities
- Restaurants
- Libraries
- Banquet halls, community halls, conference centres and hotels
- Performance activities
- Retail
STEP 3 <300 hospitalizations
Potential easing in these areas:
- Adult team sports
- Casinos, racing centres and bingo halls
- Further easing of youth sport and recreation activities
- Indoor social gatherings, with restrictions
- Indoor seated events (movie theatres and auditoria)
- Museums, art galleries, zoos, interpretive centres
- Places of worship
STEP 4 <150 hospitalizations
Potential easing in these areas:
- Amusement parks
- Concerts (indoor)
- Festivals (indoor and outdoor)
- Funeral receptions
- Indoor entertainment centres and play centres
- Performance activities (singing, dancing and wind instruments)
- Sporting events (indoor and outdoor)
- Trade shows, conferences and exhibiting events
- Wedding ceremonies and receptions
- Workplaces (lift working from home)
- Day and overnight camps
Health officials are monitoring the situation and will adjust measures if required.
Read more about the provincial mandatory measures in effect
Subscribe to regional COVID-19 status notifications
Get the Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines
The COVID-19 vaccine helps prevent you from getting infected and protects you from getting severely sick if you do get it. Albertans are being vaccinated as fast as supply allows. This is happening in phases so people most at risk get it first. More groups will be eligible as the province gets more doses.
Sign up to be notified of changes rollout plan
Learn about vaccines for COVID-19: authorized vaccines
Early Phase: December 2020
Vaccinations were offered to key populations, with a focus on acute care sites with the highest COVID-19 capacity concerns in Edmonton and Calgary:
- Healthcare workers in intensive care units
- Respiratory therapists
- Staff in long term care and designated supportive living facilities
Phase 1: January to March 2021
Vaccinations are being offered to key populations across the province:
- Respiratory therapists
- Healthcare workers in intensive care units
- Healthcare workers in emergency departments
- Healthcare workers in COVID-19 units, medical and surgical units, and operating rooms
- Paramedics and emergency medical responders
- Staff in long term care and designated supportive living facilities
- Home care workers
- All residents of long term care and designated supportive living, regardless of age
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis persons born in 1956 or earlier (turning 65+) living in a First Nations community or Metis Settlement
- Seniors born in 1946 or earlier (turning 75+), no matter where they live:
- AHS will vaccinate residents in retirement centres, lodges, supportive living, and other congregate living facilities with people 75 or older
- Albertans 75+ can book an appointment online, call Health Link 811, or contact a participating pharmacy
Phase 2A: Started March 15
People eligible in Group A:
- Albertans born 1947 to 1956 (turning 65 to 74), no matter where they live
- First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) people born 1971 or earlier (turning 50+), no matter where they live
- Staff and residents of licensed seniors supportive living facilities not included in Phase 1
Phase 2B: April to June
Phase 2 is broken into 4 groups. Vaccinations for Group B will begin once Group A has been completed. Timelines are subject to change depending on supply. Details on how to get the vaccine will be released prior to each group.
People eligible in Group B:
Albertans born 2005 to 1957 (16 to 64) with any one of the following high-risk underlying health conditions:
- Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen (a missing spleen or a spleen that is no longer working)
- Cancer (anyone with a new diagnosis of or treatment for all forms of cancer in the last year, except non-invasive skin cancer)
- Chronic heart disease and vascular disease, including congenital heart disease, chronic heart failure, heart or kidney disease from high blood pressure, and a history of a stroke (not including high blood pressure alone)
- Chronic kidney diseases requiring regular medical monitoring or treatment
- Chronic Liver disease due to any cause (for example, cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and hemochromatosis)
- Chronic neurological disease (for example, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, MS, muscular dystrophy and dementia)
- Chronic respiratory (lung) diseases, including COPD, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and severe asthma that required an asthma-related emergency department visit or hospital admission in the past year (not including mild or well-controlled asthma)
- Diabetes requiring insulin or other anti-diabetic medication to control
- Immunosuppression: a weakened immune response due to disease or treatment, including anyone undergoing chemotherapy or treatment for HIV, genetic disorders of the immune system, and people receiving long-term medical treatment to control severe inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus
- Pregnancy: anyone who is currently pregnant
- Severe mental Illness or substance use disorder requiring a hospital stay during the past year (for example, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders and others)
- Severe obesity: a Body Mass Index of 40 kg/m2 or more
- Severe or profound learning disabilities or severe developmental delay, including individuals with Down Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder and others (not including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
- Solid organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant recipients
See a detailed clinical breakdown of these conditions and who is eligible
Confirming eligibility for those in Group B:
A doctor’s or pharmacist’s note is not required to get the vaccine. However, you may want to talk to your doctor or pharmacist to help you understand if your condition is on this list.
Phase 2C: April to June
People eligible in Group C:
- Residents and support staff at eligible congregate living and work settings at risk for large outbreaks, including correctional facilities, front-line policing and provincial sheriffs, homeless shelters, meatpacking plants, and group homes for disability, mental health and other types of licensed supportive living
- Healthcare workers working in patient care facilities or providing direct patient care in the community, in order to limit spread to high risk individuals, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and all other regulated health care professionals and their office or support staff
- Anyone working in patient care facilities or providing services directly to clients in the community for Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health, Alberta Precision Labs, DynaLife, and students undertaking placement practicums in clinical areas
- Healthcare workers on First Nation reserves
- Caregivers of Albertans who are most at risk of severe outcomes:
- All designated family/support people of those individuals in long term care, designated supportive living and licensed supportive living facilities
- Up to 2 caregivers for children under 16 who have an eligible chronic condition but are unable to receive vaccine due to age
Confirming eligibility for those in Group C:
- Workers or students eligible in Phase 2C will need to provide personal identification that contains a birth date and proof of employment or professional registration (employee ID card, letter of employment or placement) when booking or attending their appointments with Alberta Health Services or at community pharmacies
- Health officials will work with licensed supportive living facilities, pharmacists, and primary care clinicians on the best way to notify and confirm eligibility of caregivers when bookings open
Phase 2D: April to June
People eligible in Group D:
- Albertans born 1957 to 1971 (turning 50 to 64)
- First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) persons born 1972 to 1986 (turning 35 to 49), no matter where they live
Work to identify sequencing for all other groups is underway.
Phase 2 (AstraZeneca): supply fully booked
Alberta's limited supply of the AstraZeneca (Covishield) vaccine has been fully booked. The province is no longer booking appointments for this vaccine at this time. Appointments will reopen as soon as possible.
Phase 3: Spring/early Summer
Anticipated start of rollout of the vaccine to the general public.
Learn about second doses and rules for those vaccinated
Learn who should and shouldn't get vaccinated
Until most Albertans are protected, fully vaccinated people must still follow all health measures: no indoor gatherings, keep 2 metres apart, wear a mask in public, and stay home when sick.
What Does Physical (Social) Distancing Mean?
What does physical distancing mean?
Together, we can slow the spread of COVID-19 by making a conscious effort to keep a physical (social) distance between each other. Physical distancing is proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of illness during an outbreak. This means making changes in your everyday routines in order to minimize close contact with others, including:
- Avoiding crowded places and gatherings
- Avoiding common greetings, such as handshakes
- Limiting contact with people at higher risk (older adults and those in poor health)
- Keeping a distance of at least 2 arms lengths (approximately 2 metres) from others, as much as possible
- Follow Alberta’s restrictions on mass gatherings
Other steps you can take:
- Wear a mask in public when distancing is not possible
- Download and use the ABTraceTogether mobile contact tracing app while out in public
- Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol)
- Use gloves properly if you choose to wear them (they are not necessary)
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
- Watch for COVID-19 symptoms
- Take the COVID-19 self-assessment to arrange testing if you have any symptoms
Non-medical Masks and Face Coverings
COVID-19: Mandatory mask requirements
Effective December 8, 2020, masks are mandatory across Alberta in all:
- Indoor public places
- Places of worship
- Indoor workplaces, except when working alone in an office or a safely distanced cubicle or a barrier is in place
- Farm operations (exempt)
This workplace requirement:
- Applies to all employees, customers, visitors, delivery personnel and contractors
- Includes all workplace locations where masks won’t pose a safety risk
- Does not change current student mask requirements in schools
Read about the Mandatory, province-wide restrictions in effect
Why use a mask
Wearing a homemade or non-medical mask in public is another tool to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. It hasn’t been proven that masks protect the person wearing it, but it can help protect people from being exposed to your germs. Masks should complement, not replace, other prevention measures. Continue physical distancing and good hand hygiene, and stay home when sick.
Face shields
Face shields do not replace masks or face coverings. A face shield is used to protect the eyes of the person wearing it.
Using a face shield without a mask won’t protect you from potentially inhaling infectious respiratory droplets exhaled by others, nor will it protect others from your infectious respiratory droplets, as they can escape around the face shield.
If you’re unable to wear a mask or face covering, you may want to wear a face shield. Choose one that extends around the sides of the face and below the chin. You’ll still need to maintain physical distancing of 2 metres, and practice good hand hygiene, especially if you touch the face shield.
Neck gaiters (neck warmers)
Neck gaiters (also known as neck warmers) are not recommended because they aren’t well secured to the head or ears, are likely to move or slip out of place, and are difficult to remove without contaminating yourself.
If a neck gaiter must be used as a face covering, it should be folded to provide at least 3 layers of fabric and should include a filter or filter fabric added between layers. Lift it away from your face, especially when taking it off, and wash your hands or use alcohol based hand sanitizer anytime you need to adjust it, especially when putting it on and taking it off.
Masks with exhalation valves
Masks with exhalation valves or vents are not recommended. These masks do not protect others from COVID-19 or limit the spread of the virus. This is because they allow infectious respiratory droplets to spread outside the mask.
Medical masks
Medical masks include N95 masks and surgical or procedure masks. N95 masks protect from exposure to biological aerosols that may contain viruses or bacteria. They are generally only required during specific, high-risk medical procedures. Surgical or procedure masks provide a barrier to splashes, droplets, saliva or spit. They are not designed to fit tightly against the face.
These masks should be kept for healthcare workers and others providing direct care to COVID-19 patients. They may also be recommended for use in some workplaces, like salons, where there is prolonged close contact with people.
Gloves
It is not necessary to wear gloves in public. If you choose to wear gloves, remember to wash your hands before you put them on and immediately after taking them off. Change the gloves if you touch your face, cover a cough or sneeze with your hands, or if they become dirty or torn. Always discard the gloves in a lined garbage bin after taking them off.
To avoid spreading germs or COVID-19, do not touch your face or mask with your gloves, do not touch any personal items (cell phone, bag, credit card) that you might touch again with bare hands, and do not try to wash gloves or use hand sanitizer with gloves on.
COVID-19 Financial Relief for Albertans
Service Canada provides Canadians with a single point of access to a wide range of government services and benefits. They are committed to improving services for Canadians by working with partners to provide access to the full range of government services and benefits that Canadians want and need through the Internet, by telephone, in person or by mail.
Online Self-assessment
Important Phone Numbers
- Emergency dial 911
- Health Link dial 811
- Mental Health Support 1-877-303-2642
- Addiction Support 1-866-332-2322
- Family Violence Support 310-1818
- Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868