â–º Listen Live
â–º Listen Live

Stage 2: Alberta’s next phase of summer re-opening plan now in effect

LETHBRIDGE, AB – You can have a restaurant meal indoors and head back to the gym again if you want starting today.

Stage two of Alberta’s summer re-opening plan kicks into high gear.

Premier Jason Kenney said a few days ago this three phase strategy is not just for having an open summer, it’s really the back open for good plan.

“The key thing is really growing that protection of our population with the vaccines,” said Kenney. “We are confident that by the time we get into the fall, by the time we get into late September for example, that we will be approaching 80% of first and second dose coverage in our population and we’ll be able to maintain that freedom.”

Other stage two changes now good-to-go include the re-opening of indoor recreation and entertainment like arenas, pools, movie theatres and libraries at one-third capacity; the work from home order is lifted; and no more restrictions for youth and adult sports.

In order to move into the third and final stage of the re-opening strategy at least 70% of eligible Albertans need to have at least one dose of vaccine. After that benchmark is hit, stage three would go into effect two weeks after.

As of today, Alberta sits at 68% with one shot.

The following is now in effect across Alberta as part of Stage 2:

  • Outdoor social gatherings increase to 20 people, with distancing.
  • Wedding ceremonies may occur with up to 20 attendees. Receptions are permitted outdoors only.
  • Funeral ceremonies remain unchanged with up to 20 people permitted, not including facility staff, funeral clergy or organizers not considered guests. Receptions are permitted outdoors only.
  • Restaurants may seat tables with up to six people, indoors or outdoors.
    • Dining parties are no longer restricted to households only.
    • Physical distancing and other restrictions still apply.
  • Retail capacity increases to one-third of fire code occupancy (must maintain ability to distance).
  • Capacity for places of worship increases to one-third of fire code occupancy.
  • Gyms and other indoor fitness open for solo and drop-in activities with three-metre distancing between participants and fitness classes may resume with three-metre distancing.
  • Indoor settings may open with up to one-third of fire code occupancy, including indoor recreation centres. This includes arenas, cinemas, theatres, museums, art galleries and libraries.
  • Indoor and outdoor youth and adult sports resume with no restrictions.
  • Youth activities, such as day camps and play centres, may resume, with restrictions.
  • Personal and wellness services can resume walk-in services.
  • Post-secondary institutions can resume in-person learning.
  • The work-from-home order is lifted but still recommended.
  • Outdoor fixed seating facilities (e.g., grandstands) can open with one-third seated capacity.
  • Public outdoor gatherings increase to 150 people (e.g. concerts/festivals), with restrictions.
  • Distancing and masking requirements remain in effect.
Patrick Siedlecki
Patrick Siedlecki
Pat has been a mainstay in the CJOC News department from the time the station launched in 2007. He's been in the position of News Director since then and has been anchoring daily news casts as well as reporting and working behind the scenes. Community is important to him and keeping CJOC listeners and readers informed about what's happening across southern Alberta and beyond. Pat has been in radio broadcasting for the past 24 years, starting in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island in 1997 and then moving up island to Nanaimo for another few years before heading to Lethbridge in 2007. Pat grew up in the small Saskatchewan farming town of Foam Lake. After high school, he went to Western Academy Broadcasting College (WABC) in Saskatoon prior to moving to the island. Pat also spent several years broadcasting hockey in the BCHL as well as seven years as the radio voice of the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the WHL. Pat has been working at Cornerstone Funeral Home in Lethbridge as a Certified Life Celebrant and Funeral Assistant since 2016. News and sports have always been Pat's passion from the time he was a teenager and he's always been grateful to have had the opportunity to make that part of what's been a fun and long radio career!
- Advertisement -

cjoc Now playing play

ckbd Now playing play

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Celebrate Barons Family Day this Saturday

Spend July 5 with the family in Barons for Barons Family Day. 

New referendum rules come into effect in Alberta

New rules have come into effect in Alberta that could make it easier for residents to start a province-wide referendum.  

Nature Conservancy partnership protects historic southern Alberta ranchland

The Nature Conservancy of Canada has announced that the first phase of the Bob Creek Ranch conservation project has been completed. 

Disruptions along 5 Street South to begin Monday

Starting Monday and until July 9, City of Lethbridge crews will be conducting geotechnical drilling (boreholes) at 11 locations.  

Impaired driving enforcement a focus for police in July

Lethbridge Police and other law enforcement agencies across the province are focusing on impaired driving throughout July. 
- Advertisement -