Plans to lift Alberta COVID-19 restrictions to be announced this week – CBC

With hospitalizations at record levels, some fear ending restrictions may be premature

Feb 07, 2022

Premier Jason Kenney is expected to announce early this week when Albertans will see the end of the COVID-19 Restrictions Exemption Program (REP) and other public health restrictions.

Promising it to be a “phased” plan, to be removed with other measures, Kenney’s pledge to end the program has been met with mixed reaction.

“I think it is way too premature,” said Heather Smith, head of the United Nurses of Alberta. “It’s not evidence-based and it’s irresponsible and reckless.”

With the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 at record levels, Smith says lifting the REP will lead to further strain on the health-care system and health-care workers.

“I’m very concerned that it is not only unsafe but it is asking for more deaths, more ill-health here in the province,” she said.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/covid-restrictions-end-plan-kenney-1.6341959