Protect yourself.
We all play a role in limiting COVID-19 spread & protecting ourselves. By following the public health rules and the spirit behind them, we can get back on track and save lives.
The numbers don't lie. We are in a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the delta variant being the most common variant of concern in Alberta. Those who are unvaccinated or have only received one dose of a COVID vaccine are at highest risk for infection.
Important Local COVID-19 News
Manluk Centre & Civic Centre to Operate Under Restrictions Exemption Program
Take the COVID-19 Business Survey
Phase 2A COVID-19 Vaccinations Underway
COVID-19: Stay Current on the 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 active case rates in your region
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
State of Public Health Emergency Declared
The Restrictions Exemption Program permits in-scope businesses, entities and organizers to operate without most public health restrictions as outlined in Order 45-2021. Masks are still mandatory indoors.
Operators that are out-of-scope or choose not to fully implement the program must comply with all public health restrictions outlined in Order 44-2021.
How to participate
Operators do not need to apply, but must follow or exceed the program requirements at all times, including requiring all patrons/attendees aged 12 and over to provide valid:
- Proof of vaccination, or
- Proof of a privately-paid negative rapid test result taken within 72 hours of service, or
- Documentation of a medical exemption
Resources
The program does not apply to:
- Businesses or entities that need to be accessed by the public for daily living purposes, including all retail locations
- Employees, contractors, repair or delivery workers, volunteers or inspectors entering the space for work purposes
- Children under 12
Enforcement
- Operators will be audited for compliance
- Requirements can be enforced by AHS, AGLC and police units
- Public can submit complaints if they believe operators are not in compliance
In-scope operators
The following in-scope businesses, entities and organizers are eligible to participate:
- Restaurants and food courts with closed access to the public
- Nightclubs
- Casinos, Bingo Halls, VLT Lounges
- Entertainment and recreation centres, such as bowling, racing entertainment, arcades, billiards halls, other similar entertainment, museums, art galleries, movie theatres
- Recreation facilities for physical activity, performance activity or recreational activity
- Conferences, meeting spaces, halls, and rented space (excluding dwelling units)
- Weddings and funerals held in public facilities where the facility maintains responsibility for adherence to these requirements
- Professional sporting or performance events (spectator)
- Indoor adult sport and performance activities (participants)
- Private social events held in public facilities where the facility maintains responsibility for adherence to these requirements
- Adult recreational activities (for example, classes, groups)
- Amenities in hotels and condos, including fitness rooms, pools and game rooms
Out-of-scope operators
The following out-of-scope operators are not eligible to participate:
- Child care settings
- Events in private dwellings
- Retail and shopping malls
- Libraries
- Workers and employees in/on a worksite for the purposes of their employment
- Schools (Kindergarten to Grade 12)
- School curriculum-based activities
- Accommodations (hotels, motels)
- Places of Worship (for faith services)
- Mutual support groups
- Health services
- Personal services
- Wellness services
- Youth physical activity, performance activity and recreational activity, where all participants are under the age of 18
- Public transit
- Jury selection
- Election purposes and other related activities
- First responders attending for the purposes of responding to an emergency situation
- Publicly-funded post secondary institutions, including cafeterias and residence common areas (PSIs will fall under a separate and sector-specific exemption)
- First Nations College entities: Maskwacis Cultural College, Old Sun Community College, Red Crow Community College, University nuhelot'ine thaiyots'i nistameyimakanak Blue Quills, and Yellowhead Tribal College
Proof of vaccination and QR code scanner
To enter spaces participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program, people ages 12 and older can provide proof of vaccination:
- Valid Alberta vaccine record that shows name, birthdate, and vaccination type and date:
- Partial vaccination (14 days from first dose) will be accepted until October 25
- Full vaccination (14 days from second dose) is required after October 25
- Other accepted forms of proof of vaccination include:
- Other provincial vaccine records
- First Nation vaccine records
- Canadian Armed Forces vaccine records
- ArriveCan app and valid international travel identity document
- Valid identification that matches the vaccine record is also required for adults 18 and over
Transition to vaccine record with QR codes
Your Alberta vaccine record with QR code will be the only valid Alberta proof of vaccination accepted by operators participating in REP as of November 15 Vaccine records from First Nations, military, other provinces, and international travellers will continue to be accepted
Scanning QR codes
- Businesses can use the AB Covid Records Verifier app to scan Alberta vaccine QR codes.
- If the record is valid, the app will display a green checkmark and the person's legal name and date of birth. It does not access or store any other personal information.
- Internet connection is not required to scan codes
- Download the app for free from Google Play or the App Store
- An updated iOS version is now available to fix issues when scanning records of people who've had 3 doses
- Tipsheet: How to use the AB Covid Records Verifier app
Not vaccinated? Book your vaccination appointment.
Proof of negative test
To enter spaces participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program, people aged 12 and older can show proof of a negative test result.
- The test result should be a written or printed copy that indicates the individual has tested negative for COVID-19 on a Health Canada approved rapid antigen, rapid PCR, or lab based PCR test approved by Health Canada or the lab accreditation body of jurisdiction.
- Valid test results should be a written or printed copy that clearly outlines the type of test, time of sample collection, clear indication of a negative result, and laboratory that completed the test, if applicable
- Photos of a rapid test or result taken offsite is not sufficient
- A self-test completed offsite or self-produced documentation of a negative test result is not valid
- Do not bring completed self-tests or rapid tests to businesses due to communicable disease risk
- Tests must not be from the Alberta Health Services public COVID-19 testing system
- Operators offering on-site rapid testing should seek expert medical oversight prior to implementing a rapid testing program
For more details, see requirements for the Restrictions Exemption Program.
Proof of medical exemption
To enter spaces participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program, people 12 and older can provide documentation of a medical exemption.
- A valid medical exemption is the original signed letter from a physician or nurse practitioner that includes:
- Person's name that matches their identification
- Physician’s or nurse practitioner’s complete information, including:
- Name, phone number, contact information, professional registration number and signature
- Statement that there is a medical reason for not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19
- Duration that the exemption is valid
WHO'S IN THE HOSPITAL BEDS?
- Patients with 1 - 2 vaccinations (13%)
- Patients with 0 vaccinations (87%)
The number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals and intensive care units are important indicators of how severely the pandemic is affecting Albertans, and the amount of stress it's placing on the province's health care system.
A sizable majority of COVID-19 patients in Alberta hospitals and intensive care units is unvaccinated.
Book Your Shot
Assess Yourself Online
Use this self-assessment tool to help determine whether you need to be tested for COVID-19. You can complete this assessment for yourself or on behalf of someone else if they're not able. at a participating pharmacy, through the AHS online booking tool or call Health Link 811.
Every Albertan who can get vaccinated should get vaccinated.
Help Prevent the Spread
Do your part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19
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
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
Important Numbers
- Emergency dial 911
- Health Link dial 811
- Mental Health 1-877-303-2642
- Addiction 1-866-332-2322
- Family Violence 310-1818
- Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868
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.
