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Alberta’s chief medical officer of health said Thursday that gathering restrictions currently in place, banning groups of 15 or more, also apply to all one-time or annual summer events, including arts and culture festivals, agricultural fairs and rodeos, major sporting championships and industry conferences.

The orders in place prohibit gatherings of 15 or more people. They also require people gathered in groups of fewer than 15 to maintain a distance of two metres from one another.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw said that means summer events and festivals across Alberta will have to be cancelled.

She said many event organizers have already decided to cancel or postpone, but she hoped this announcement would provide clarity to others waiting on her direction.

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The province said, by clarifying these restrictions now, organizers can “provide advance notice of 60 days or more that may help them limit unrecoverable expenditures, and cancel contracts in a timely manner.”

1:05 Nenshi says Stampede has put the ‘community first’ by cancelling 2020 edition Nenshi says Stampede has put the ‘community first’ by cancelling 2020 edition

Hinshaw said the mass gathering rule would be reassessed in the fall, but wouldn’t say exactly when.

“I know summer festivals and events are incredibly important for many people,” she said. Tweet This

“This decision was not made lightly. But we must do everything we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Hinshaw explained that events like festivals and concerts can act as “super-spreaders,” where “one sick person can expose many others to the virus — spreading COVID-19 across households, communities and even large geographical distances.”

“A single case of COVID-19 can spread like wildfire in groups.”

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1:35 Edmonton mayor reacts to cancelled summer festivals Edmonton mayor reacts to cancelled summer festivals

She reiterated that the mass gathering rules apply to the outdoors as well. People cannot gather in groups larger than 15 and in groups smaller than 15, everyone must maintain physical separation of at least six feet.

“Albertans are prohibited from attending any event that would violate these orders,” Hinshaw said. Tweet This

These restrictions will continue to apply until evidence demonstrates that the spread is controlled, Alberta Health said.

Today, I want to clarify that mass gathering restrictions apply to all summer events or festivals. Gatherings of more than 15 people are prohibited, and gatherings of fewer than 15 must maintain a distance of 2 metres from one another. This decision was not made lightly. (6/9) — Dr. Deena Hinshaw (@CMOH_Alberta) April 23, 2020

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Hinshaw also advised people to avoid visiting summer homes and any non-essential travel.

READ MORE: Saskatchewan to start reopening from the coronavirus pandemic on May 4

“I know this is incredibly disappointing. We all look forward to summer,” Hinshaw said.

“This virus has taken many things from us and this is another loss to absorb.” Tweet This

Hinshaw said there are still activities Albertans can enjoy safely outside, including walks and gardening.

1:52 Alberta sees 319 new cases, 2 new deaths from COVID-19 on Thursday Alberta sees 319 new cases, 2 new deaths from COVID-19 on Thursday

Gathering restrictions remain in place even as it's getting warmer outside, and also apply to all major summer events and festivals in Alberta. Individuals who violate gathering restrictions are subject to a $1,000 penalty. For details, visit https://t.co/1w2mSdWTkt pic.twitter.com/bQ8O7pZRAf — Alberta Government (@YourAlberta) April 24, 2020

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Thursday’s COVID-19 numbers

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Alberta Health announced 319 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing the provincial total to 3,720.

“One of the new cases we are reporting today occurred in a worker from Sofina Foods in the Calgary zone,” Hinshaw said. “To date, this is the only identified case at this plant so it is not considered an outbreak.

“AHS is working with the plant to ensure that prevention measures are in place and plant operations have slowed due to the number of staff currently on isolation. AHS is offering testing to all employees, even those without symptoms.”

Two more people have died from the virus.

“These two additional deaths are the ones that I mentioned yesterday with respect to Brooks, which have now both been confirmed as cases of COVID-19,” Hinshaw said. One death was an employee at JBS Foods and the other was a household contact of an employee.

“My sincere condolences go out to everyone grieving the loss of a loved one.” Tweet This

Alberta has recorded a total of 68 COVID-19 fatalities.

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Of the total cases, 1,357 have recovered, Hinshaw said.

There are currently 72 people in hospital, 18 of whom have been admitted to intensive care units. Alberta Health said 313 cases are suspected of being community acquired.

1:20 480 COVID-19 cases linked Cargill, 124 to JBS Foods meat plants in southern Alberta 480 COVID-19 cases linked Cargill, 124 to JBS Foods meat plants in southern Alberta

Outbreak concerns

Hinshaw said her greatest concerns are the outbreaks in continuing care centres – where there are now 390 confirmed cases – and the outbreaks at the meat plants in High River and Brooks.

READ MORE: Cargill meat plant temporarily closing amid COVID-19 outbreak

There are now 480 confirmed cases at the Cargill plant and 124 confirmed cases in employees and contractors at the JBS Foods plant in Brooks.

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1:52 Alberta sees 319 new cases, 2 new deaths from COVID-19 on Thursday Alberta sees 319 new cases, 2 new deaths from COVID-19 on Thursday

“I know these numbers can be alarming,” Hinshaw said. “We are working to ensure that every outbreak has aggressive intervention as soon as it is identified so that it can end as soon as possible.

“I want to assure Albertans that these aggressive outbreak measures are being implemented and they are effective.” Tweet This

“Unfortunately, the long incubation period of COVID-19 means we will continue to see new cases in the days ahead, as exposures that happened before outbreak measures were put in place can continue to result in new cases for up to two weeks,” she explained.

“These outbreaks are a painful reminder of the ability of COVID-19 to spread rapidly when given the chance.”

2:00 COVID-19 outbreaks at Cargill and JBS are complex: Hinshaw COVID-19 outbreaks at Cargill and JBS are complex: Hinshaw

App to help with contact tracing

Hinshaw announced Thursday that Alberta was in the final testing phase of a contact-tracing app.

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“This mobile app will be completely voluntary and will speed up the contact tracing that health officials undertake when someone tests positive for the virus.”

The app will use Bluetooth to note if the user has come in to contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, she explained. It will be called AB TraceTogether.

“Albertans will have [a] choice about whether to download the app and all information collected is stored within people’s personal phones, not with the government,” she said.

“The app does not track Albertans’ geographic locations.” Tweet This

Hinshaw said these apps have already been used effectively in Singapore and South Korea.

2:37 Alberta to launch contact tracing app to help in fight against COVID-19 Alberta to launch contact tracing app to help in fight against COVID-19

She said the team has been in touch with the privacy commissioner about the app and it will likely be available in the coming weeks.

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In a post on its website, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta said it received an overview of the program earlier in April but has not received detailed information.

“The government of Alberta has committed to providing a privacy impact assessment on this initiative, and we look forward to reviewing it when it is received,” Commissioner Jill Clayton said in a statement. Tweet This

“As this app is rolled out, it will be important for the government of Alberta to provide Albertans with a clear, easy-to-understand description of privacy practices.

“Knowing in plain language what types of personal information may be collected, how that information will be used and in what circumstances it will be disclosed will assist people in choosing to opt-in to using the app.”

1:02 Alberta Health Services simplifies PPE ordering process: Hinshaw Alberta Health Services simplifies PPE ordering process: Hinshaw

Streamlining PPE requests

Hinshaw also said Alberta Health Service developed an easier approach to making sure personal protective equipment is available to all health workers, including specialists and community doctors.

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She said community specialists can now order PPE through their AHS zone’s point of contact.