On September 3, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, Minister of Health Tyler Shandro, and Chief Medical Officer of Health Verna Yiu announced many new restrictions that Albertans will face.
Despite previous comments regarding lockdowns and keeping Alberta open and free of restrictions, Kenney now says that it is imperative that Alberta implement temporary measures to curve the spread of the Delta variant.
“The Delta variant of COVID-19 is causing concerning rises in hospitalizations in our province,” Kenney said, “almost entirely amongst unvaccinated Albertans.
“COVID-19 vaccines continue to provide amazing protection against infection and severe disease, even with the Delta variant. So, I’d like to thank the 2.9 million Albertans who have chosen to roll up their sleeves.”
He then listed some vaccine figures and Alberta’s progress before saying that is not enough and that the remaining population which has yet to be vaccinated must act as soon as possible.
“But the bad news is that we still have 30 percent of the eligible population without full vaccine protection – that is to say without two doses. And the Delta variant is ripping its way through [the unvaccinated] group at an aggressive rate.”
To convince those hesitant, Kenney announced that he would be willing to pay Albertans $100 to receive one dose as part of a new vaccine incentive program.
He then announced a whole new list of “temporary measures” to address the spread of COVID-19.
Amongst these measures were a return to mask mandates for all indoor public spaces and workplaces; ending the serving of alcohol by 10 p.m.; and restrictions on gatherings, only allowing a maximum of 10 people indoors.
“Vaccines are safe, effective, and a game-changer,” Shandro said in a statement. “This is why the current wave is different than what we’ve experienced before.
“While we do not need to return to the same widespread and dramatic measures we had in place earlier in the pandemic, unvaccinated Albertans, in particular, are still at risk and are placing a heavy load on our healthcare system. This is why we are taking measured steps and introducing a new incentive program to encourage more Albertans to get the jab.”
This announcement comes after Kenney’s three-week vacation, after which he returned to a government demanding new restrictions and a vaccine passport.
On September 1, Kenney made his first appearance since returning — though it was not a public one. While answering questions on Facebook Live, Kenney said, “[More] lockdowns? No. I think the trick is to get more people vaccinated. That is the alternative to lockdowns.”
Jason Kenney says "if we do see this wave jeopardizing the healthcare system, we may have to take some very targeted actions."
Kenney didn't say what those actions could be. ICU cases in Alberta have more than doubled over the last 10 days. pic.twitter.com/Cbuo5q5t3H
— Andrew Brown (@browncbc) September 2, 2021
He then said lockdowns would be the last resort and that if the healthcare system is in danger, Alberta’s government may take “some very targeted actions.”
“We may have to take other measures to encourage people, the unvaccinated, to ensure they are not putting themselves in a position where they’re transmitting,” Kenney said.
Kenney’s decision to take said “very targeted actions” likely is due to political pressure.
Yesterday, Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley — amongst a litany of others — took aim at Kenney, demanding Alberta implement vaccine passports and develop a QR code vaccine passport system, as well as vaccine and mask mandates for both workers and customers.
Simple. Secure. Scannable. And just in time for hockey season. By providing easy and secure access to immunization records while establishing a standard for large public settings, Albertans can protect their neighbours and continue to do the things they love. #ableg #abhealth pic.twitter.com/40anOBjia7
— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) September 2, 2021
“Vaccine verification is coming to Alberta whether Jason Kenney likes it or not,” Notley said Thursday. “The UCP must follow other provinces and step up.
“By providing Albertans with easy and secure access to their immunization records while establishing a verification standard for public settings, Albertans who are vaccinated can protect their neighbours and continue to do the things they love to do.”
While Kenney has yet to go full Doug Ford and implement a vaccine passport when he promised he would not, his decision to impose restrictions as soon as he returned to office will be highly troubling for freedom-loving Albertans.
