The relaxing of public health restrictions in Alberta will be dependent on the number of hospitalizations in the province. Hospitalizations are under the first benchmark of 600, so the first step of relaxations of restrictions will begin. 

The wait is nearly over for restaurants and bars, school physical activities, and adult physical fitness facilities in Alberta. They can reopen on February 8. 

The news comes as a relief to many local restaurants in Southern Alberta. 

In Strathmore active COVID-19 cases have gone down to 43 and there are 13 active cases in Wheatland County.

Premier Jason Kenney said the government has seen imposing of restrictions as a last resort. He said that if there is a surge in hospitalizations, new restrictions may have to be increased.

The Premier outlined a plan in regards to lifting restrictions in the province that follows a number of steps.

There will be a three-week gap between each step for easing restrictions. The fourth step could see Albertans returning to the type of restrictions that were in place last summer.

In the fourth step, which would be approximately 150 hospitalizations in the province, events like rodeos could be held.

“There is a path forward,” Kenney said public health restrictions can be gradually relaxed if individuals bend the curve and reduce the number of hospitalizations.

“We are not through the end of this yet,” Kenney said.

He asked the public to not take today’s announcement to go back to normal patterns of social interaction. 

in the coming days the province will be releasing more information about supports for Alberta businesses.