Nearly all COVID-19 public health measures are now lifted in Alberta

WATCH ABOVE: Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping shares details on the public health restrictions being removed when Alberta moves to Step 2 of its reopening plan come Tuesday, March 1. By Caley Gibson Global News

Nearly all COVID-19 public health measures have now been lifted in Alberta.

On Saturday morning, Premier Jason Kenney announced the province would move into Stage 2 of its reopening plan on March 1.

Read more: Alberta to end most remaining COVID-19 restrictions on March 1

This marks the end to all indoor and outdoor public gathering limits, the lifting of capacity limits at large entertainment venues and the end of the provincial work-from-home order. The provincial mask mandate has also been lifted, with some exceptions.

Here’s a closer look at what Stage 2 means for Alberta:

Masks

The province’s mask mandate has been lifted except for in high-risk settings. Masks or face coverings are still mandatory on all forms of public transit, as well as at all Alberta Health Services-operated and contracted facilities. That includes all continuing care settings.

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Masks will not be mandatory in taxis or ride-sharing vehicles like Uber.

Edmonton’s municipal bylaw is also still in effect, so masks are still mandatory for everyone two and older at indoor public spaces and public vehicles in Edmonton until further notice.

READ MORE: Edmontonians will still have to wear masks when Alberta’s mask mandate is lifted

The City of Edmonton’s bylaw has two triggers that require council to review masking. First, when the province rescinds its mask order. Second, when Edmonton has 100 or fewer active COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people for 28 consecutive days.

According to the most recent COVID-19 data available as of Feb. 27, Edmonton had 161 active cases per 100,000.

In a post on Twitter Monday afternoon, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said the city’s masking bylaw cannot be repealed arbitrarily.

“There’s a process, prescribed under the Municipal Government Act, that our city council must follow to determine what happens next,” Sohi said.

Sohi said city council will convene a special meeting on March 8 at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the mask bylaw.

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Via https://globalnews.ca/news/8650461/alberta-covid-19-nearly-all-measures-lifted/