Alberta begins loosening of restrictions

The Alberta government announced on Tuesday that is dropping a number of its COVID-19 mandates. The Restrictions Exemption Program or vaccine passport is being removed. Premier Jason Kenney says restrictions on food and beverage at entertainment venues will be removed as well. Capacity limits have been removed except at large venues. Effective February 14th there will not be a masking requirement for kids 12 and under. No masking requirements for kids in schools for any age. Stage 2 will begin March 1st and that includes no more indoor mask wearing, remaining school requirements will be removed, youth screening will no longer be required for entertainment and sporting events. As of March 1st, the capacity limits will be lifted for all large venues, the limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings will be lifted as will the mandatory work from home mandate. That too will come to an end. Premier Kenney says the key is having hospitalizations continue to trend down. Kenney says the Restrictions Exemptions Program has done its job for Albertans. Premier Kenney says Stage 3 date is yet to be determined. It would include protocols being lifted in continuing care facilities and people no longer being required to isolate.