EDMONTON, AB – Alberta’s Health Minister says the UCP government is not advocating for changes to inter-provincial travel restrictions, at least not right now.

While Manitoba is implementing a mandatory 14 day quarantine period for  anyone entering the province as of Friday, January 29th Tyler Shandro says that’s not something Alberta is considering.

“The main goal is to limit community spread of COVID throughout our province and around the country, but doing it in ways that are smart and thoughtful. We’re not advocating for any restrictions on inter-provincial travel at this time,” said Shandro during a news conference Wednesday morning.

Shandro says Alberta will continue to work with other provinces to understand their concerns.

The government of Manitoba says the inter-provincial quarantine period is being made out of an abundance of caution in response to the “real danger” of COVID-19 variants.

Alberta’s Opposition NDP, meanwhile is calling on Premier Jason Kenney to require 14 days of quarantine for all international and domestic travellers arriving by air.

Leader Rachel Notley says half-measures are not enough and the UCP government must act quickly and decisively.

“We must stop these variants to protect our hospitals, schools, seniors and small businesses. There will be tremendous harm to our economy, including our tourism and hospitality sectors, if these variants take hold in Alberta,” Notley said.

Notley wants a halt to the quarantine pilot program at the Calgary International Airport and a delay in implementing the same program in Edmoton.