As the Omicron variant sends shockwaves through most of Canada, the Government has announced new measures in hopes of protecting Albertans ahead of the Christmas holidays. Buckle up, folks – because while not nearly as restrictive as the new COVID measures taken in BC, there will be a few things to keep in mind this weekend.

As many of you may already be aware, Premier Jason Kenney shared this morning that fully vaccinated adults are now eligible to receive their COVID-19 booster shot, as long as their last dose was administered 5 or more months ago.

Since then, they’ve also unveiled a new set of guidelines to help flatten the curve.

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Effective Friday, December 24th, the following measures will be in place for the province of Alberta: 

  • For venues in the Restrictions Exemption Program – 50 percent capacity limit at venues that seat more than 1,000 people. For venues with a capacity of between 500 and 1,000 occupants, 500 is the limit.
  • No food or drink consumption in seated audience settings or during intermissions in the above-mentioned venues.
  • There is no impact on venues under 500.
  • Maximum table capacity of 10 people in restaurants, pubs and bars. No mingling between tables.
  • No interactive activities at restaurants, pubs and bars (e.g., dancing, darts and billiards).
  • Restaurants, pubs and bars must stop liquor service at 11 p.m., and close at 12:30 a.m.

As for indoor and outdoor social gatherings, weddings, funerals places of worship and businesses, current restrictions will remain in place, with Kenney reminding us that Albertans should refrain from workplace social gatherings.

These restrictions are as follows:

INDOOR

  • Indoor private social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people 18 and older.
  • There are no limits on people 17 and under if accompanied by their parent or guardian. If attending the gathering by themselves, they will count towards the maximum limit of 10 people.

OUTDOOR

  • Outdoor private social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 200 people, with 2-metre physical distancing at all times.

In addition to this, masking will also remain mandatory in all indoor public spaces, including facilities participating in the Restriction exemption program.

For more information, to book a booster shot, or to see Alberta’s recent numbers you can visit the Alberta Government website here.

We know that this sucks, folks, but it’s nothing we haven’t experienced before. Be safe, be smart and be patient folks! We’ve got this.

Curiocity Staff

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