 Some businesses are allowed to continue doing business and those are the ones that are considered 'essential'. However, some Alberta businesses would consider themselves to be essential. Unfortunately, they are not the ones who can make that call. On March 17, 2020, the Province of Albert's Chief Medical Officer of Health officially declared a public health emergency due to the COVID-19 crises. Ten days later, the Government of Alberta ordered the closure of all "non-essential" businesses. The dates of when this would end were not indicated.
Non-essential Services must remain closed to the public and if you are confused about these services, consult the Government of Alberta website. Here is the list for your consideration. • Brick and mortar retail businesses offering exclusively non-essential services or goods (curbside pickup and online shopping, however, are permitted to continue) • Private and public recreation and entertainment facilities • Food courts and dining establishments (delivery, takeout, and drive-throughs are allowed); non-profit soup kitchens and work camp dining halls may continue to operate with proper risk management strategies in place • Nightclubs and bars • Salons, barbershops, and other personal services • Non-essential health services and cosmetic enhancement services The Government of Alberta has also released a list of essential services that can continue to offer services. This list is also published on the government website and include: • Public administration and government • Public safety and security • Essential medical and public health services • Shelter and food (restaurants are limited to delivery and takeout only) • Utilities and energy • Specified industrial services; natural gas, coal, and petroleum • Transportation • Construction projects and services required for the healthcare sector or critical municipal and provincial infrastructure • Health and safety environmental rehabilitation projects • Agricultural and horticultural • Retail (including grocery stores, pet supply stores, pharmaceutical businesses, liquor and cannabis retail outlets, hardware stores, auto repair and parts suppliers, office product supply businesses, and medical supply centers) • Financial institutions such as banks and credit unions, as well as investment management, insurance brokerages, and the Alberta Securities Commission • Information and telecommunications While there are still some businesses and services on the essential services list can continue to offer services, they must still implement risk mitigation measures to help prevent the spread of further infection. Such measures include social distancing and heightened sanitization. There are, on the other hand, some businesses that are not considered essential services but are still allowed to remain open. If the business is not listed as an essential service but is not prohibited from offering services in a publicly accessible area, it is allowed to remain open under certain conditions. These businesses can have up to 15 or more workers on-site if they continue to follow public health orders and guidelines about physical distancing and not allowing workers to work if they are sick.
0 Comments
|