Final public health measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 will be lifted from midnight on Tuesday, and some business leaders and union representatives have expressed conflicting feelings about what it means for the recovery of the Alberta pandemic. .
The province eliminates the legal requirement that positive cases be isolated for five days for individuals with two doses, or 10 days for those who are not vaccinated.
The rules change only to one recommendation.
Also, masks will no longer be mandatory on public transportation throughout the province.
INSULATION RECOMMENDATION
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce said local businesses will adopt the change to isolation requirements as an opportunity to develop disease policies individually, while signaling the end of the age of restrictions.
“A two-person company has very different needs than a 2,000-person company. Giving companies the flexibility to do what makes the most sense for them while complying with public health guidelines is very important to them. “said director Ruhee Ismail-Teja. of politics and communications with the chamber.
However, the Alberta Federation of Labor (AFL) said the change could create more labor shortages if sick workers are forced to take turns and risk infecting co-workers or clients.
“They basically say that now (the Alberta government has got rid of these restrictions) they can force that small number of employees to come to work while they’re sick,” said AFM President Gil McGowan.
He added: “This is not something we should applaud, it is something we should be horrified about.”
OPTIONAL MASK IN TRANSIT
As for changes that affect daily commuting by CTrain or bus, Calgary Transit said customers can do what they feel comfortable with as a personal choice.
The union representing the drivers said it expects many members to choose to continue wearing masks.
“They’re still nervous that this relaxation hasn’t cured COVID or expelled him, he’s just ignoring it,” said Mike Mahar, president of Amalgamated Transit Union 583.
An infectious disease expert said that increasing public health standards increases the risk of increased transmission, while future variants remain a concern.
“There’s a chance we’ll have to reintroduce some of these non-pharmaceutical interventions at some point,” said Dr. Daniel Gregson, an infectious disease expert and medical microbiologist at the University of Calgary and the Cumming School of Medicine.
LIVING WITH COVID
A statement to CTV News from Alberta Health said that “it is important to remember that living with COVID-19 does not mean that it no longer poses a risk of serious consequences or that it disappears completely. It means that we have the tools at our fingertips. our willingness to lift mandatory public health measures. “
Alberta residents are encouraged to receive available vaccines against COVID-19, including booster doses to ensure the protection of serious outcomes.
Alberta Health Services will maintain mask requirements in places such as hospitals through its infection prevention and control policy.