The Province of Alberta will start easing some of its measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus starting on Friday.
Vehicle access to parking lots at provincial parks will be the first to open Friday, while the province’s health system will resume some scheduled, non-urgent surgeries as soon as May 4, and dental and other health-care workers may restart services that day as well.
Other provinces have also begun removing restrictions that were implemented to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Ontario outlined a gradual, phased approach to reopening earlier this week that may keep portions of that economy closed into August, while Quebec said this week it would allow retailers everywhere except Montreal to start reopening as early as next week.
Other key parts of Alberta’s relaunch strategy include boat launches may be opened May 1, and the province is working to have all of them open by May 14; campsites may be open by June 1.
Starting as early as May 14, retail businesses, personal services, museums and daycares can reopen. Restaurants can reopen for public seating at 50% capacity, said the Government of Alberta.
Full reopening will require safeguards that include enhanced testing capacity, comprehensive contact tracing, stronger international border controls and airport screening, guidance for use of masks in crowded spaces, and protections for the vulnerable and support for those who test positive for coronavirus.