EDMONTON—Optimistic that the COVID-19 curve has been flattened, Alberta has announced a phased approach for reopening the economy. But it’ll be a slow and cautious process.

Alberta will take its first steps toward reopening the economy beginning May 4, Premier Jason Kenney announced Thursday at a press conference along with Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health. After those initial steps, he said there are three stages tentatively planned for the future, with dates dependent on public safety factors like the number of hospitalizations.

On Monday, some non-urgent surgeries will go ahead and some health-care workers, like dentists, physiotherapists, social workers and occupational therapists, will be allowed to resume services under strict public health guidelines.

“I’m confident Albertans will approach relaunch with the same adaptability and resilience they have shown throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kenney said in a news release.

“We will move forward together with care and common sense, knowing tough times are still ahead.”

Initial steps — some health care services

The plan mirrors some of the steps recently announced by Saskatchewan, which is also reopening some health-care services next week.

In Alberta, speech language pathologists, dieticians, audiologists and respiratory therapists will also be allowed to continue services on May 4.

Those professionals must follow strict public health, physical distance and cleanliness guidelines laid out by the province.

Some provincial land will be opened for recreational use as well. Parking lots in parks and on public land will be open to vehicles on May 1. This also includes some boat launches.

By June 1, the government hopes to have many campgrounds up and running — excluding group and comfort camping and with some restrictions to certain areas. People from outside Alberta will not be allowed to book sites.

Fire bans across the province will remain in place, and the government says residents should check online to look at restrictions.

Golf courses are also being given the green light for May 4, although pro shops and clubhouses must stay closed.

“On-site shops and restaurants can open in stage one, consistent with other businesses and retailers,” reads a government news release.

In order for Alberta to get to the next phase of reopening, the province wants to see “stronger” international border control, an increase in provincial testing rates and continued contact tracing, according to the news release.

Stage one — some stores, daycares, no large gatherings

This stage could begin as early as May 14, Kenney said. The province is closely monitoring hospitalization numbers, health-care system capacity and how the public reacts to the initial phase as it moves toward this stage, which sees some retail and food service establishments open with restrictions.

Those include: clothing, furniture and book stores, vendors at farmers markets, hairstyling and barber shops, museums, art galleries, additional surgeries and dental procedures, more health-care services, and some daycares with occupancy limits.

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Nightclubs, large gatherings, sporting events and concerts are not allowed at this stage. Gyms, recreation centres, movie theatres and spas will also remain closed during this stage. Gatherings of more than 15 people are still banned.

However, some summer camps and summer schools could run with limitations.

People visiting health-care facilities are still limited, and the province is recommending that should stage one be reached that people still work from home if they can, and limit non-essential travel.

Kenney said at this stage, the use of masks is encouraged, especially when using public transit. He also said the province has ordered millions of non-surgical masks for the public.

Stage two — schools, movie theatres, no large gatherings

This stage would see additional businesses and services reopen with physical distancing of two metres still in place. Kindergarten to Grade 12 schools could reopen, however that doesn’t mean for the semester that was supposed to finish prior to the summer.

The point at which Alberta hits this stage depends on how well the province does during stage one, Kenney said. Hospitalizations, acute care and intensive care capacity will be monitored closely as well to see if further reopening would be safe, he said.

There could be more scheduled surgeries, personal services, like waxing and tanning, and larger gatherings be allowed — but a number would be determined at a later date. Movie theatres and theatres would reopen with limits.

Gyms, nightclubs, recreation centres and arenas would remain closed.

Stage three—businesses would fully reopen, clubs and gyms open with limits, larger gatherings

This stage sees significant loosening of rules. It’s heavily dependent on public health monitoring of hospitalizations as well as the success of the first two stages.

Businesses would fully reopen, larger gatherings would be allowed (a number would still need to be determined); large entertainment events and sporting events would be allowed with some restrictions; nightclubs, gyms and recreation centres could open with limits, and conferences would be allowed.

Stages two and three have no set date.

“There are signs that our collective efforts of physical distancing, good hygiene practices, and staying home when advised are helping to slow the spread,” said Hinshaw in the release.

“However, we must guard against complacency and be patient to ensure the sacrifices we have already made to contain the virus are not wasted by carelessness as we gradually reopen businesses and services.”

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