Kenney vows to impose stronger health measures this week, expands vaccine eligibility

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Premier Jason Kenney has pledged to impose stronger public health measures this week as Alberta’s daily COVID-19 case count continues trending above 2,000.

A package of stricter restrictions is being prepared and is expected to be announced Tuesday, the premier said during a Monday news conference, though he did not specify what industries might be impacted by those measures.

“If these numbers continue to go up at their current speed, we won’t be able to cope in our hospitals,” he said.

“Whatever your personal views are, about COVID or the government or any of this, please put our health-care system first, so we can offer beds and care to people who need it, especially if they’re fighting for their lives,” said Kenney, while also announcing teachers and school staff would now be eligible to receive vaccinations.

Another 2,012 cases of COVID-19 were reported on Monday, including 1,900 cases of the more contagious variants of concern. And with 23,608 active cases provincewide, Alberta has the highest active case rate per population of any Canadian province or territory.

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When asked by reporters about his response to the pandemic’s third wave, Kenney said the province has a “compliance issue” and stood by his balanced approach.

“The reason we are at this critical stage of the pandemic in Alberta, with record-high daily case counts and intensive-care numbers, is precisely because, for whatever reason, too many Albertans are ignoring the rules that we currently have in place,” he said, adding that Alberta has similar rules to its neighbouring provinces.

Yet as restrictions tightened in B.C. and Saskatchewan, their daily case counts have started dropping, explained the premier.

“This is incredibly frustrating for all of us. And this is why I am imploring all Albertans to take this seriously. I said on Thursday, last Thursday, that if Albertans are not willing to do what’s right, even though it’s hard, then we will be forced to take further steps,” he said.

Kenney said he’s concerned previous measures have not been adequate to bend the curve, however, he believes rigid lockdowns would encourage greater defiance.

“That’s why we’ve always taken the approach that restrictions should be a last resort to maximize compliance and public buy-in,” he said, adding, at this point, they might have “no tools left in the toolbox” apart from broad restrictions.

Last Thursday, a number of new measures were introduced, including a transition to online education for Grades 7 to 12, closure of fitness centres and cancellation of indoor sport and performance in “hot spot” regions. Okotoks and Rocky View County have been added to the list.

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These measures have been criticized for not being strong enough to bend the curve in COVID-19 cases.

NDP Leader Rachel Notley said Monday that Albertans have lost trust in the premier as he has failed them again.

“The half-measures Jason Kenney has put in place are not working,” Notley said in a statement.

“He must provide paid sick leave and effective enforcement. He must apply greater measures across the province and not on a regional basis.”

The NDP is calling for fines to be tripled up to $3,600, as well as the issuance of new guidelines from the Solicitor General to police services to “consistently and vigorously” enforce measures.

Kenney said Justice Minister Kaycee Madu is reviewing this proposal and is tasked with finding additional options for enforcement.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, said the test positivity rate on Monday was 13.2 per cent.

“The more of us who choose vaccination, the closer we get to replacing the currently needed protection of public health measures with the protection of vaccines,” Hinshaw said.

There are 658 patients in hospital due to COVID-19, including 154 in intensive-care units.

An additional four deaths were reported Monday, bringing Alberta’s death toll to 2,090.

Alberta teachers, child-care workers prioritized for vaccine distribution

Meanwhile, Kenney also announced teachers, child-care workers and support staff in Alberta will be able to book COVID-19 vaccine appointments starting Tuesday.

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The expansion to Alberta’s vaccine rollout will open immunization appointments to more than 52,000 teachers, 29,000 support staff and 24,000 child-care workers. Bookings will open for eligible workers on May 4 through Alberta Health Services’ online booking tool, 811 and at participating pharmacies.

Teachers, substitute teachers and administration at public, separate, francophone, charter, private/independent/ECS operators and First Nations schools will all now be eligible. This also includes bus drivers, education assistants, custodians and others who support schools.

Staff working in licensed child-care programs like daycare programs, out-of-school care, preschool programs and family day homes will also be eligible.

Proof of employment will not be required, as bookings will operate on the honour system.

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Alberta Teachers’ Association president Jason Schilling has been calling for teachers to be added to the list of front-line workers eligible for vaccination for several weeks.

“This is the single biggest thing that would make teachers feel safer,” Schilling told Postmedia on April 10.

During a press conference on that same day, Kenney had said “arbitrary pressure” would not impact the speed at which teachers were prioritized. He said the rollout has been based on scientific advice.

In a statement responding to the government’s decision to include teachers on Monday, Schilling said only, “About time.”

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Another 18,354 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered by the end-of-day Sunday, which brings the total number of shots given to 1,640,303.

There are 1,338,905 Albertans who have received at least one shot of vaccine, which is about 30 per cent of the population, and 37 per cent of those aged 16 and over.

Alberta is deploying 20,000 additional doses to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and Banff so they are able to offer vaccines to residents aged 18 and older.

Kenney said Monday that an announcement on Phase 3 of the vaccine rollout — which includes the general population — could come as early as the end of the week.

— With files from Jason Herring

sbabych@postmedia.com
Twitter: @BabychStephanie