Alberta prepares to introduce further restrictions as COVID-19 cases rise

For an update, see:Alberta restricts recreational sports, bar hours to contain COVID-19 surge

Alberta's government is weighing new restrictions for the province as it sees record-breaking COVID-19 numbers.

Possiblerestrictions could includecapacity limits on worship services and higher-risk activities like fitness classes, government officials told the CBC.They said there may also be lesser changes for businesses, such asreducing capacity or operating hours.

The possible changes are notable given Alberta Premier Jason Kenney'srejection of tighter restrictions despite a recent surge in COVID-19 cases.

Kenney had insteadurged "personal responsibility," including asking people not to attend parties or host social gatherings in their homes.

Two officials told CBC News that an impromptu cabinet meeting was held Wednesday to discuss the options on the table forrestrictions, and that the new measures are set to be announced at the chief medical officer's news conference scheduled for Thursday.Those new rules have not yet been made final.

CBC News has agreed not to name theofficialswhowere not authorized to speak publicly about the changes.

The changes will be in line with what the premier's messaging has been for the past few weeks, with only modest and targeted measures.

No business closures expected

One official said no business closures are expected to be announced, as the options under consideration are more focused on social gatherings and places where large groupings of people could occur.

Both government officials said these new measures do not constitute a lockdown, phrasing the premier has also resisted.

"We've seen other jurisdictions implement sweeping lockdowns, indiscriminately violating people's rights and destroying livelihoods," Kenney said last Friday. "Nobody wants that to happen here in Alberta."

Kenney has maintained that he wouldn't rule out new measures should cases continue to skyrocket.

• WATCH |Dr. Lynora Saxinger, aninfectious diseases specialist, on why she thinks additional measures are needed in Alberta

Additional measures needed in Alberta: infectious diseases specialist

4 years ago

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Further restrictions are the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta, says Edmonton infectious diseases specialist Dr. Lynora Saxinger, who also says data supports short, stringent lockdowns.

This week Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implored Canada's premiers and mayors to "do the right thing" and bring in appropriateCOVID-19 restrictions for their regions.

Doctors recommended partial lockdown

On Thursday, agroup of more than 430Alberta physicians and three major health-care unions were sendinga letter to Kenneyendorsing the idea of a "circuit-breaker" targeted lockdown as cases of COVID-19 continue to surge in the province.

In the letter,the signatories saythey feel it is their duty to warn of the "impending health system crisis" resulting from the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta.

"We have reached a juncture where only strong and decisive mandatory measures can prevent our hospitals from becoming overwhelmed," the letter reads.

Thursday'sletter also comes on the heels of a separate letter signed by more than 70 physicians earlier in the week, which warned that the province's acute-care systemcould be overburdenedif strict restrictions weren't implemented.

Alberta has seen record setting COVID-19 statistics in the past week, including the highest number of hospitalizations to date during the pandemic.

• WATCH | Dr. Jim Kellner, an infectious disease specialist, on the growingconcern over Alberta hospitalizations

Record-breaking Alberta numbers not yet reflected in ICU admissions: infectious disease specialist

4 years ago

Duration 0:29

Dr. Jim Kellner, an infectious disease specialist in Alberta, is concerned about rising COVID-19 case numbers and their impact on hospitals two to three weeks from now.

The premier and Dr. Deena Hinshaw,Alberta's chief medical officer of health,have both cautioned that if numbers don't decrease, the hospital system will be at risk.

More than 900 new cases were reported on Saturday.

On Wednesday, the province reported 672 new casesand seven more deaths.The province says there are 217 patients in hospital, with 46 in intensive care.