On May 14, 2020, Alberta begins “Stage One” of its “Relaunch Strategy” which is a staged approach to reopening businesses and services in the province in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In most of the province the following activities are now permitted to resume (with the exceptions of Calgary and Brooks):

• Limited reopening of certain businesses including, for example, retail business (e.g. clothing), some personal services (e.g. hairstyling and barber shops), daycares and summer camps (with limits on occupancy), and restaurants (limited to table service at 50% capacity). Specific exceptions for the Cities of Calgary and Brooks apply;

• Reopening of personal services (e.g. hairstyling and barber shops) as well as restaurants, cafes and bars (limited to table service at 50% capacity).

In the cities of Calgary and Brooks, bars, restaurants, day camps, and daycares and salons/barbershops will not be permitted to open until at least May 25^th, due to the comparatively higher number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in those areas.  Places of worship and day camps are not anticipated to be opened in those areas until at least June 1^st. 

For further information on Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy, and the status of other provincial re-opening plans, please refer to our article on that topic, available here.

All businesses which choose to open must ensure they are in compliance with physical distancing requirements and all other mandatory public health orders.  Sector specific guidance for re-opening is available here.

The Alberta government will be monitoring the spread of COVID-19 throughout the next few weeks.  Depending on the success of Stage 1, Alberta currently anticipates launching Stage 2 of its “Relaunch Strategy” no earlier than June 19^th.  Stage 2 is anticipated to involve the opening of additional businesses, and the potential for schools to resume (with restrictions in place).

It is vital that businesses which resume operations implement policies and procedures to address COVID-19 within their workplace.  For further information and considerations concerning recalling employees to work, please refer to our previous article on this topic, available here.

We will continue to update our clients with information as soon as it becomes available. If you have any questions about this topic, other COVID-19 related questions, or would like assistance with developing and/or reviewing pandemic plans, please do not hesitate to contact a Mathews Dinsdale lawyer, or refer to the Firm’s COVID-19 website resources.