The government of Alberta announced new health restrictions Tuesday evening to try and curb the spread of COVID-19. Officials say our province has the highest rates per capita of cases in the country right now. Government officials say there are currently 671 Albertans in hospital battling the virus including 150 in intensive care. Beginning Friday, all students Kindergarten thru Grade 12 will move to at home learning until May 25th, after the long weekend. All post secondary schools must be online. Workplaces with COVID-19 outbreaks must close. Retail stores will move to 10 percent capacity or 5 customers. Outdoor social gatherings will go from 10 to just 5 people. Places of worship will be limited to 10 percent. Funerals will drop from 20 to just 10 people.

Beginning May 10 (for at least three weeks), personal services including hair, nail, tanning salons and tattoo parlours will close. Restaurants will move to takeout and delivery only. Adult and youth performances will close and health care professionals including doctors and dentists will be by appointment only.

Kenney says these latest restrictions will stay in effect for the next three weeks. He also says the province will be doubling the fine for those caught breaking the public health orders from $1,000 to $2,000 dollars.