Welcome to Hill Spring

Alberta Public Health - Overview

Alberta is taking action to protect Albertans against the highly transmissible Omicron variant by ramping up health system capacity, providing free rapid test kits, expanding vaccine boosters, clarifying indoor social gathering limits, and decreasing capacity in large venues.

Businesses participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program can operate with less restrictions if they require patrons 12 and over to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test result. New measures came into effect December 24.

Albertans are asked to reduce their number of contacts by half, limit unrestricted activities where there is a high risk of transmission, and observe all public health measures to slow the spread.

Read Dr. Hinshaw's tips for celebrating safely this holiday season.

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Restriction exemption program

Starting September 20, discretionary events and businesses must follow one of these 2 options:

1. Implement the Restrictions Exemption Program requiring proof of vaccination or negative rapid test result to continue operating as usual, or
2. Follow capacity and operating restrictions as outlined on the page below.

Business Requirements

• Businesses that implement the Restrictions Exemption Program can operate as usual if they only serve people (ages 12 and over) who have:
  • proof of vaccination
    • single dose accepted between September 20 and October 25 if received 2 weeks before time of service
    • double doses required after October 25
  • documentation of a medical exemption
  • proof of a privately-paid negative PCR or rapid test within 72 hours of service (tests from AHS or Alberta Precision Laboratories not allowed)

  Businesses do not need to apply for the program. Audits and enforcement will occur to ensure rules are followed.

  The Restriction Exemption Program would not apply to:

  • businesses or entities that need to be accessed for daily living
  • employees of businesses participating in the program
  • children under 12

 

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.

• Tests must be privately-paid COVID-19 PCR or rapid tests completed within 72 hours.
• Tests must not be from Alberta Health Services or Alberta Precision Laboratories.

Proof of Vaccination

To enter spaces participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program, people ages 12 and older can provide proof of vaccination or documentation of a medical exemption.

• Sept. 20 to Oct. 25: proof of a single dose is considered acceptable as long as the dose was given more than 2 weeks before the time of service.
• After Oct. 25: proof of double vaccination is required.

Find out how to access your records

Book your vaccination

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Social Gatherings (Indoor & Outdoor):

• Mandatory restriction - Effective Sept 16.
  

  Indoor social gatherings

  • Vaccinated: Indoor private social gatherings are limited to a single household plus one other household to a maximum of 10 vaccine-eligible, vaccinated people and no restrictions on children under 12.
  • Unvaccinated: Indoor social gatherings are not permitted for vaccine-eligible people who are unvaccinated.

  Outdoor social gatherings

  • Outdoor private social gatherings limited to a maximum of 200 people, with 2 metre physical distancing at all times.

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Places of Worship:

Mandatory restriction - Effective Sept. 16

• Capacity limited to 1/3 fire code occupancy.
• Masks are mandatory.
• 2 metres physical distancing between households, or 2 close contacts for those living alone.

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Masks and Physical Distancing:

Mandatory restriction – Effective Sept. 4 and 16

• Masking and physical distancing are mandatory in all indoor public spaces and workplaces. This measure extends to places of worship as of September 16.
• Employees must mask in all indoor work settings, except while alone in work stations.

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Schools (K - 12 )

Mandatory measure - Effective Sept. 16 

• Mandatory masking for students in Grades 4 and up, plus staff and teachers in all grades.
  • Schools that implement an alternate COVID safety plan can be exempted from mandatory masking.
• Elementary schools to implement class cohorting.
• Indoor sports, fitness, recreation, and performance activities are permitted in schools, with requirements to maintain 2 metre physical distancing where possible.
  • Masks and distancing are not required by youth under 18 while engaged in physical activity.
  • Spectator attendance restricted to 1/3 fire code capacity and limited to households or 2 close contacts for those living alone. Attendees must be masked and distanced.