For the first time in a month, hair salons and tattoo parlours can open for business in Alberta on Monday, and visiting with a few friends outdoors will be allowed.
Health Minister Tyler Shandro said at a Thursday news conference personal services ordered to close Dec. 13 to slow the spread of COVID-19 can open next week by appointment only, amid mounting pressure to reopen hair salons. Up to 10 people will be allowed to meet outdoors to socialize.
Shandro said the government brought in restrictions last month to reduce the amount of potential COVID-19 exposures by limiting the number of Albertans interactions with others in person.
We cant entirely ease up on this goal, but we can make small adjustments to provide Albertans with some limited activities, he said. We encourage everyone to still continue following the health guidelines during outdoor social gatherings.
Meeting indoors is not permitted. Up to 20people will be allowed at funeral ceremonies but receptions remain prohibited.
Shandro said these measures were eased based on the guidance of the chief medical officer of health.
Hinshaw changes direction
But one day earlier, Albertas chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw warned businesses that chose to reopen despite health orders were increasing the number of close contacts people had in the community. She said cases could go up meaning restrictions may have to stay in place longer.
When asked whether the changes announced Thursday were made based on data or politics, Hinshaw said her comments were meant to instruct businesses to follow health guidance and that cases are trending downward.
The things that are announced today were part of my recommendation based on the evidence, based on the level of transmission we had seen in different places, and our trend today is very different than our trend in December.
Shandro reiterated the decision was not political and there are different levels of risk for different activities. He also said the government also wants to give businesses notice of upcoming changes.
This is us continuing to do what weve always promised throughout the pandemic which is to look at the data, and to make decisions that are targeted, that are minimizing business disruptions.
Multiple salons recently gained public attention for reopening despite health orders to close.
Innisfail hair salon Blades to Fadez reopened this week saying on Facebook they were rebranding as pet groomers offering pet grooming for humans. The salon was given two tickets by the RCMP Wednesday after defying a closure order from Alberta Health Services.
An online petition demanding salons reopen gathered more than 16,000 signatures ahead of Thursdays announcement. Hairstylists have also called for the government to support them saying their businesses will crumble if they are forced to stay closed longer.
Meantime, Jobs, Economy and Innovation Minister Minister Doug Schweitzer announced the small business relaunch grant will include businesses that started up during the pandemic.
The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce welcomed news of the grant and restrictions lifting.
This is great news for small businesses, at a time when they desperately need it, Janet Riopel, president and CEO of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce said in a news release. This will also ensure entrepreneurs have the confidence to open new businesses despite the challenging climate.
NDP health critic David Shepherd said new cases lowering enough to allow restrictions to lift is great news.
I respect Dr. Hinshaws reading of the data and understanding of what can be done safely, he said. We are in support of prudent steps based on the data that are done for public health reasons and not political ones.
He also said he was glad the UCP extended the grant to other businesses, which the party recommended before Christmas.
Premier Jason Kenney said last week Alberta would not loosen its restrictions on businesses until Jan. 21 at the earliest.
967 new cases, 21 deaths
There were 967 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and 21 more people have died, Hinshaw announced.
She said Wednesday Albertans had begun to reduce the spread of the disease for a second time. Its unclear, however, how much of the decline is tied to fewer tests being completed in recent weeks.
Thursdays cases came as 16,219 tests saw a positivity rate of about 5.8 per cent. Positivity rates have recently declined.
Deaths, hospitalizations, and ICU admissions, however, have not declined and remain significantly higher than when the province brought in some restrictions in November. A record 38 deaths were reported Tuesday.
As of Thursday there have been 114,585 cases of COVID-19 in Alberta and 1,389 people have died from the disease. There were 12,434 active cases and 806 people in hospital, including 136 in ICU.
lboothby@postmedia.com
@laurby
