Stronger Public Health Measures
|
|
Alberta is implementing stronger public health measures during a state of public health emergency and putting the following measures in place to protect the health system and reduce the rising spread of COVID-19 cases.
The mandatory restrictions apply provincewide and will be in place at least until January 12, 2021.
|
|
Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant
|
|
PROGRAM EXPANSION (COMING SOON)
Starting early the week of December 14, job creators who have experienced a 30% revenue loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic will qualify for the program, lowering the threshold from the existing 40% revenue loss requirement. This 30% threshold will be available to impacted businesses retroactive to March.
Alberta businesses affected by the public health orders in effect from November 6, 2020 and later will also be eligible to apply for a second payment through the program.
Job creators that meet the program's eligibility criteria will be able to apply for 15% of their pre-COVID-19 monthly revenue up to:
- a maximum of $5,000 in funding for their first payment, and
- a maximum of $15,000 for their second payment
Application intake for the second payment is not currently available but will open soon. More information, including updated eligibility criteria and how to apply for the second payment, will be outlined on the Government of Alberta website when finalized.
|
|
Effective Immediately (December 8, 2020)
|
|
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE GATHERINGS (PROVINCE-WIDE)
-
Effective immediately, all indoor and outdoor social gatherings are prohibited. Close contacts are limited to household members only, however individuals who live alone may have up to 2 non-household close contacts who are permitted to visit in their homes. These individuals must be the same two people throughout the duration of these measures.
-
No change - Funeral services and wedding ceremonies must follow all public health guidance and are limited to a maximum of 10 in-person attendees. Receptions are not permitted.
-
No change - Not following the mandatory restrictions could result in fines and enforcement.
MANDATORY MASK REQUIREMENTS (PROVINCE-WIDE)
-
Effective immediately, masks are mandatory in all indoor public places, places of worship, and indoor workplaces and facilities outside the home, except:
- when working alone in an office or a safely distances cubicle or a barrier is in place.
- rental accommodations used solely for the purposes of a private residence.
- farm operations (exempt).
- This workplace requirement:
- applies to all employees, customers, visitors, delivery personnel and contractors
- includes any location where employees are present in-person
- includes all workplace locations where masks won't pose a safety risk
- does not change current student masks requirements in schools
OUT-OF-TOWN TRAVEL & VISITORS (PROVINCE-WIDE)
- All out-of-town travel is discouraged at this time.
- For those returning home, individuals are permitted to return to their household (e.g., a child returning home from post-secondary).
- Out-of-town visitors are not permitted to stay in other people's homes while these restrictions are in place.
|
|
Effective December 13, 2020
|
|
All previous restrictions from November 27, 2020 remain in place until the new restrictions come into effect.
WORKING FROM HOME (PROVINCE-WIDE)
-
Effective December 13, working from home is mandatory unless the employer requires a physical presence for operational effectiveness.
BUSINESS AND SERVICE RESTRICTIONS (PROVINCE-WIDE)
Effective December 13, some businesses will be required to close, reduce capacity, or limit their in-person access.
RETAIL
- Retail services must reduce customer capacity to 15% of fire code occupancy or a minimum of 5 customers.
- Curbside pickup, delivery, and online services are encouraged
- Individuals should shop alone if possible or only with people of the same household
- Shopping malls have capacity limits of 15% which includes common areas and individual stores, and food courts are open for grab and go only
- Retail services include:
- Retail businesses operating within a shopping centre or mall
- Shopping centres and malls
- Pet supply stores
- Grocery stores
- Pharmacies
- Clothing stores
- Computer and technology stores
- Hardware
- Automotive
- Sporting goods
- Liquor and cannabis
- Gift shops
- Markets
RESTAURANTS, PUBS, BARS, LOUNGES AND CAFES
- All restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges, and cafes are closed to in-person services.
- Take out, curbside pickup, and delivery services are allowed.
ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION FACILITIES
- All entertainment businesses and entities must close, including:
- Casinos, bingo halls, gaming centres
- Racing centres, horse tracks, raceways
- Bowling alleys, pool halls
- Legions and private clubs (nightclubs must remain closed)
- Art galleries, libraries and museums
- Science and interpretive centres
- Amusement and water parks
- Children's place centres and indoor playgrounds
- Theatres, auditoria and concert halls
- Banquet halls, conference centres and trade shows
- All indoor recreation facilities must close, including:
- Gyms and studios
- Fitness and recreation centres
- Spas, pools, indoor rinks and arenas
- Day and overnight camps
- Community halls and centres
- Outdoor recreation is permitted, but facilities with indoor spaces except for washrooms will be closed.
PERSONAL AND WELLNESS SERVICES
- All personal and wellness services must close.
- Personal services include:
- Esthetics, manicure, pedicure, body waxing, make-up
- Body, nose and ear piercing, and tattoos
- Artificial tanning and spray tanning
- Facial, eyebrow and eyelash treatments
- Cosmetic skin and body treatments
- Laser hair and tattoo removal
- Hairstyling and barbering
- Wellness services include:
- Massage therapy
- Flotation tanks
- Reflexology
- Colonic irrigation
HEALTH, SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
-
Regulated health services can remain open by appointment only as long as public health orders and sector guidance is followed. Appointments should be limited to one-on-one services.
- Physicians, dentists
- Physical therapists
- Optometrists
- Hearing aid practitioners
- Acupuncturists
- Naturopaths
- Professional services can remain open by appointment only:
- Lawyers
- Mediators
- Accountants
- Photographers
- Social services can remain open for in-person services including:
- Social, protective or emergency services
- Shelters for vulnerable persons
- Not-for-profit community kitchens, religious kitchens and soup kitchens
- Home-based businesses should follow the restrictions for the type of service they provide.
HOTELS, MOTELS, HUNTING AND FISHING LODGES
- Hotels, motels, hunting and fishing lodges may remain open but must follow restrictions:
- No spa, pool or gym access
- No in-person dining (room service only)
SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
- Group physical activities, including team sports, fitness classes and training sessions, are prohibited or restricted across Alberta.
- Outdoor group physical activity, including team sports, must be limited to 10 people or fewer.
- Members of different households must maintain 2 metre distancing at all times.
- Indoor group physical activities are prohibited unless:
- The group only involves members of the same household
- The activity involves students at a school or post-secondary institution as part of an education program
- One-to-one indoor training, such as training with a fitness trainer or coach, is not permitted.
CHILD CARE (PROVINCE-WIDE)
-
Licensed daycare, out-of-school and preschool programs can continue operating as long as providers follow all public health orders and guidance for child care programs.
PLACES OF WORSHIP (PROVINCE-WIDE)
-
Effective December 13, faith services are limited to 15% of fire code occupancy for in-person attendance, physical distancing between households must be maintained, and mask use is mandatory. Faith based leaders are encouraged to move services online or provide drive-in services where people do not leave their vehicles.
K-12 SCHOOLS (PROVINCE-WIDE)
-
No change - In all schools, Grades 7-12 move to at-home learning on Nov. 30, ending in-person classes early. Students in Early Childhood Services and Grades K-6 will remain learning in-person until their scheduled winter break.
-
No change - All students will return to at-home learning after their winter break and resume in-person learning on January 11, 2021. This measure is mandatory.
-
No change - Alberta’s government is making diploma exams optional for the rest of the school year. Students and their parents can choose whether to write the exam or receive an exemption for the April, June, and August 2021 exam sessions.
|
|
Albertans must continue following existing public health measures to keep everyone safe:
- Stay 2 metres apart when you can, wear a mask when you cannot maintain this distance
- Practice good hygiene: wash your hands often and cover coughs and sneezes
-
Monitor your symptoms every day
-
If sick, stay home, get tested, and follow mandatory isolation requirements while waiting for results:
- if positive, isolate from others for 10 days or until symptoms are gone, whichever is longer
- if negative, stay home until you are better
-
Avoid non-essential travel
-
Get the flu shot to keep influenza cases low so health workers can focus on the COVID-19 pandemic
-
Download and use the ABTraceTogether contact tracing app when out in public
|
|
Subsidy & Aid Relief Information
|
|
The Chamber maintains a thorough database of subsidy and aid relief information provided, including those provided at all levels of government, and the Chamber updates this regularly on their website. Any information previously sent by the Chamber is archived here: https://www.gprchamber.ca/covid-19/
|
|
We are here to support and provide guidance and although we may not physically be in the Spruce Grove or Stony Plain Offices, please be assured that we are here and contactable. Our CEO, Sarah Parry, is contactable by cell on 587-921-8558. Staff will all be available by email, and the office phone/voicemails will be checked regularly. Our hours remain Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Some staff work flex time, and will have their out of office responses on accordingly.
|
|
Sarah Parry
CEO
Cell: 587-921-8558
|
|
Jodie MacPherson
Membership Services Specialist
|
|
Kendra Wambold
Communications & Media Specialist
|
|
Cathy Fournier
Visitor Information Centre & Office Administrator
|
|
Julie Roberts
Project Specialist
|
|
Early Bird Deadline Extended
|
|
The Early Bird deadline has been extended until December 31, 2020
|
The GPRC Connect magazine will have 30,000 copies printed and distributed to residences and businesses throughout Parkland County, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Wabamun, Acheson, and area. An online version will be displayed on the Chamber's website as well.
This incredible marketing platform will ensure that your message is seen by the customers that matter to you and businesses throughout the region!
|
|
|
For more information or to book your ad space, call Ashley today at 780-405-1192 or email [email protected]
|
|
This e-Blast is from: Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce
Name: Julie Roberts
Title: Project Specialist
Company: GPRC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|