The province is rolling out a set of incentives that will create an influx of cash for the businesses that take part in the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP) and increasing fines for those that harass or abuse frontline workers.

In today’s COVID-19 update, Premier Jason Kenney said that likely by tonight or tomorrow the province will hit 85 per cent first dose coverage within the eligible population.

Currently there are 1,094 Albertans hospitalized with COVID-19, 70 per cent of those outside of intensive care are unvaccinated. “Those are folks in non-ICU beds and of the 248 Albertans in intensive care with COVID, 87 per cent are unvaccinated,” said Kenney

Kenney said since launching the Restrictions Exemption Program about two weeks ago, the province has seen 337,000 Albertans receiving a vaccine dose.

New supports for small and medium-sized businesses include a $2,000 one-time payment to small and medium-sized businesses who employ the REP, to help with fixed costs. There will also be an additional $1 million in funding for training to support the safety of employees when implementing the REP.

In addition, the province will provide legislation to protect businesses who require vaccinations for employees or who implement the program, from legal challenges, and to protect workers on the frontline from harassment and mistreatment the province will be be doubling the maximum fine for mistreating public workers from $2,000 to $4,000.