All remaining COVID-19 public health restrictions in Alberta will be lifted Tuesday at 11:59 p.m., including mandatory isolation requirements.
Depending on the province, Alberta will enter step 3, the final stage of the reopening plan, which will put an end to mandatory isolation and masking on public transportation. The change was announced on Monday evening in a government press release.
Isolation for anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive will only be recommended by the province.
Mandatory masking rules for Alberta health services and other health centers will now be determined by individual locations.
“We have to live with COVID-19 while accepting that it will continue to be present,” said Health Minister Jason Copping.
“We will continue to work to keep Albertans safe by ensuring access to vaccines, antivirals and rapid testing, through continuous monitoring of COVID-19 and improving the capacity of the health care system.”
Statement by City Manager Andre Corbould: @YourAlberta is lifting a number of health restrictions, including the need for traffic masks. YEG’s mask regulations expire with this change. From Wednesday morning, no need to wear a mask on public transport. Users can wear masks if they wish.
– City of Edmonton (@CityofEdmonton) June 14, 2022
According to the province, the positivity of the PCR test and the wastewater monitoring data indicate a trend of “decreased COVID-19 transmission”.
Hospitalization rates have fallen since their peak on April 26, according to the province, when COVID-19 hospital admissions for COVID-19 were 20.7 daily per million people. Last week, that figure was 6.6 per million people a day.
The province says it is preparing for the fall and winter respiratory virus season, including maintaining testing and surveillance programs as it prepares to expand the hospital’s increased capacity.
In a statement, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s medical director of health, said that learning to live with COVID-19 does not mean forgetting about it.
“As we align the management of COVID-19 with other respiratory diseases, it will continue to be vital that we receive our primary vaccine series and any additional booster dose for which we can, and continue with good habits such as washing our hands regularly and avoid being around others if we feel sick, ”he said.