Stronger COVID-19 measures enacted

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The provincial government has enacted new public health measures that will place more restrictions on how people live, work and play for at least the next four weeks.

During a press conference on Dec. 8, Premier Jason Kenney stated a province-wide mask mandate is enacted, in effect immediately. This means a mask or face covering must be worn when at all indoor public spaces, including businesses, and is applicable to employees, visitors and members of the public. Farm operations and rental accommodations used as private residences are excluded.

Indoor social gatherings, already prohibited on Nov. 24, has been extended to outdoor social gatherings, which previously were allowed to include up to 10 people. Close contacts are being limited to household members only, with the exception of individuals living alone, who are allowed up to two close contacts.

Other restrictions start on Dec. 13, including places of worship which will be limited to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy. Retail services must reduce customer capacity to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy, with a minimum of five customers allowed to enter. Shopping malls too will have capacity reduced to this level.

The provincial government has enacted new public health measures that will place more restrictions on how people live, work and play for at least the next four weeks.

During a press conference on Dec. 8, Premier Jason Kenney stated a province-wide mask mandate is enacted, in effect immediately. This means a mask or face covering must be worn when at all indoor public spaces, including businesses, and is applicable to employees, visitors and members of the public. Farm operations and rental accommodations used as private residences are excluded.

Indoor social gatherings, already prohibited on Nov. 24, has been extended to outdoor social gatherings, which previously were allowed to include up to 10 people. Close contacts are being limited to household members only, with the exception of individuals living alone, who are allowed up to two close contacts.

Other restrictions start on Dec. 13, including places of worship which will be limited to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy. Retail services must reduce customer capacity to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy, with a minimum of five customers allowed to enter. Shopping malls too will have capacity reduced to this level.