June 14, 2022 Update - removal of mandatory restrictions
As per the Government of Alberta, all remaining mandatory public health restrictions were lifted on June 14 as the Omicron BA.2 wave subsides and COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to decline.
https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx
Work is underway to prepare for the fall and winter respiratory virus season. This includes maintaining surveillance and testing programs and preparing to expand acute care capacity for short-term surges.
Vaccines are fundamental to Alberta's ability to live with COVID-19.
Albertans are encouraged to get every vaccine dose they are eligible for.
https://www.alberta.ca/covid19-vaccine.aspx
Lamont County recognizes the seriousness of the current situation regarding COVID-19 and is taking appropriate measures to ensure the safety of staff and ratepayers, according to Alberta Health Guidelines. Any questions about Lamont County's response, program changes, or about COVID-19, please call 780-895-2233.
- For more information on COVID-19 in Alberta click here.
- For more information on COVID-19 cases in Alberta click here.
- For more information on booking a COVID-19 vaccine in Alberta click here.
- For more information on COVID-19 in Canada click here.
Monitor Your Symptoms
Albertans should monitor their symptoms everyday to help protect others and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Adults over 18 should stay home and get tested if they have any COVID-19 symptom. Children under 18 should refer to the daily screening checklist for instructions.Core Symptoms
If you have any of these core symptoms, you need to isolate for at least 10 days from the start of your symptoms or until they are gone, whichever is longer, or until you test negative. Symptoms apply to all COVID-19 strains, including variants.Adults over 18:
- cough
- fever
- shortness of breath
- runny nose
- sore throat
- cough
- fever
- shortness of breath
- loss of sense of taste or smell
Testing
COVID-19 testing is available to all Albertans with symptoms, close contacts of confirmed cases and those linked to an outbreak.To reduce wait times and speed up test results during the busy winter cold and influenza season, priority testing is available to:
- any person exhibiting any symptom of COVID-19
- all close contacts of COVID-19 cases
- all workers and/or residents at specific outbreak sites
As of June 14, all requirements for isolation and quarantine were removed by the Government of Alberta (entering Step 3). It is still recommended to follow the guidelines below:
Masking
- Personal choice for all circumstances, and recommended as below:
- If a person chooses to wear one, masks should fit well and be of high quality. People at risk of severe outcomes should wear medical masks when in settings with people outside of their household.
- Masking in Alberta Health Services and contracted health facilities has shifted to organizational policy.
Fully Vaccinated
If you are fully-vaccinated and are exposed to a COVID-19 case:
- If you have no symptoms, you are not required to quarantine.
- If you do have symptoms, you must isolate for 10 days and should get tested – your isolation can end early if you test negative.
Partially Vaccinated
If you are partially vaccinated and are exposed to a COVID-19 case:
- If you have no symptoms, you must quarantine for 10 days and should get tested.
- Your quarantine can end early if you test negative on day 7 or later.
- If you test negative before day 7, you must remain in quarantine and need a second negative test on day 7 or later to end quarantine.
- If you do have symptoms, you must isolate and should get tested.
- If you test negative before day 7, you must continue to quarantine (10 days total from exposure date).
- If you test negative on day 7 or later and your symptoms have resolved, your quarantine can end.
Albertans are recommended to:
- Isolate for 10 days if you tested positive or have any core symptoms that are not related to a pre-existing illness or health condition
- Quarantine for 14 days if you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19 or if you travelled outside Canada, regardless of vaccination status.
Read more about isolation and quarantine requirements at www.alberta.ca.
Provincial Programs
Agriculture Job Connector - Agriculture employers and workers can use these tools and resources to find jobs, skilled workers, financial help and other supports.
Energy Savings for Business - Grants of up to $250,000 per project are available to small and medium businesses to make energy efficiency and on-site energy generation upgrades, such as upgrades to lighting systems, refrigeration, motors and drives, and more.
Small & Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant - The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant offers financial assistance to Alberta organizations (businesses, cooperatives and non-profits) that were ordered to close or curtail operations, and that experienced a revenue reduction of at least 30%, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Spring 2021 application period opened April 23 and closes May 31.
Federal Programs
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) - As a Canadian employer who has seen a drop in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages. This subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease your business back into normal operations. Next deadline is April 22, 2021. Next period opens May 9, 2021.
Canada Recovery Benefit - The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. If you are eligible for the CRB, you can receive $1,000 ($900 after taxes withheld) for a 2-week period. You may apply up to a total of 19 eligibility periods (38 weeks) between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit - The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19. If you are eligible for the CRSB, you can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for a 1-week period. You may apply up to a total of 4 weeks between September 27, 2020, and September 25, 2021.
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit - The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. This applies if their school, regular program or facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19, or because they are sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19. If you are eligible for the CRCB, your household can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period. Each household may apply up to a total of 38 weeks between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.
Step Up to the Plate - Help Feed Canadians - This resource helps connect people with jobs in agriculture and agri-food. They include positions on farms, in food and beverage manufacturing, in distribution, and much more.
Trusted resources are listed below, or you can call the Government of Alberta, toll free, at 310-4455 or Canada Health at 1-833-784-4397 for information.
- Government of Alberta COVID-19 Information
- Government of Canada COVID-19 Update
- Alberta Health Services COVID-19 information
- World Health Organization
- Government of Alberta COVID-19 Data
- Canada's Economic Response Plan
- AB TraceTogether Mobile Ap Information
- Alberta Biz-Connect
Downloads for More Information
Government of Alberta COVID-19 FAQ
Public Health Agency of Canada - About Coronovirus Infographic
Public Health Agency of Canada - Be Prepared (COVID-19) Infographic
On Saturday (February 26), the province announced progression to Step 2 of Provincial Health Regulations, effective March 1: Government of Alberta COVID-19 website.
This means individuals are no longer required to wear a mask in public or private buildings and gatherings.
There are some exceptions to this: masks are still required in high-risk settings, including on public transit, at Alberta Health Services (AHS)-operated and contracted facilities, and all continuing care settings.
It is recommended that individuals still practice social distancing, vaccination and boosters, hand sanitation and other precautions at their own comfort levels (please be respectful of an individual's choice).
With these regulation changes, County staff are also no-longer required to wear masks. Protective equipment and barriers will remain in place; however, County buildings reopen to the public on March 1.
More information for the same can be found here.
Alberta's Open for Summer Plan safely eases restrictions in 3 stages as vaccination targets are reached and hospitalizations decline.
Alberta entered Stage 2 on June 10. If Albertans continue doing their part, all restrictions could be lifted by late June or early July.
COVID-19 transmission will continue to be monitored. If required, a stage may be paused to respond to trends at regional or provincial levels. Sustained reopening will require Albertans to get fully vaccinated with 2 doses during the summer to prevent future spread.
The following restrictions remain in place until Alberta is able to enter Stage 3:
- Outdoor social gatherings – up to 20 people with distancing (indoor social gatherings still not permitted)
- Indoor recreation, entertainment and other settings (rec centres, arenas, casinos, cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, libraries, etc.) – open at 1/3 of fire code occupancy
- Gyms and fitness studios – open for solo and drop-in activities and indoor fitness classes with 3 metre distancing
- Funeral services – up to 20 people, indoors and outdoors (receptions permitted outdoors only)
- Wedding ceremonies – up to 20 people, indoors and outdoors (receptions permitted outdoors only)
- Places of worship – 1/3 of fire code occupancy
- Personal and wellness services – resume walk-in service
- Post-secondary – resume in-person learning
- Restaurants – 6 people per table max, indoors or outdoors
- Retail – 1/3 of fire code occupancy (must maintain ability to distance)
- Youth activities (day camps, overnight camps, play centres) – resume with restrictions
- Youth and adult sports – resume with no restrictions, indoors and outdoors
- Outdoor public gatherings (concerts/festivals) – up to 150 people
- Outdoor fixed seating facilities (grandstands) – 1/3 seated capacity
- Work from home order is lifted but still recommended
- Distancing and masking requirements remain in affect
For the full list of restrictions and additional details visit www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx.
**Second-dose Appointments Now Available!**
Everyone who’s already gotten their first dose can soon book their second dose to get the best and longest-lasting protection from COVID-19. If you got a first dose in March or earlier, you can book your second dose today. You don’t need to wait to be contacted to book an appointment once you’re eligible, and you can choose where to get your second dose.
If you got an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) for your first dose, you should get an mRNA vaccine for your second dose to become fully vaccinated.
If you got AstraZeneca for your first dose, you can choose either the AstraZeneca vaccine or an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer/Moderna) for your second dose. Both options provide protection and count as completing your immunization.
When to book:
- First dose in March or earlier – book second dose starting June 1
- First dose in April – book second dose starting June 14
- First dose in May – book second dose starting June 28
How to book:
- AstraZeneca second dose - Book with AHS (online or 811) or visit a pharmacy offering AstraZeneca
- mRNA second dose - Book with AHS (online or 811) or visit any participating pharmacy
Visit alberta.ca/covid19-vaccine.aspx for more information.
Access updated March 1, 2022.
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Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Lamont County, please be advised that as of Wednesday, September 8, 2021, all Lamont County buildings have restricted/closed door access and are available to the public through pre-booked appointment only.
If you would like to book an appointment, please contact our office at 780-895-2233.