Kenney says the COVID Cabinet Committee met for 8 hours on Monday. He's talking about letters he's received from Albertans about the noval coronavirus.
Kenney says they have resisted calls for a lockdown because of the damage is would cause the economy, and violate "fundamental" rights. Says they are focused on areas where data shows COVID is spreading.
Kenney says we all have to do our part to limit community spread. If there is wide-spread community transmission, it does and will get into where vulnerable people live.
The aim is to limit pressure on the health care system. Kenney points out surgeries and procedures being postponed/cancelled in Edmonton zone.
BREAKING: Premier Kenney has declared a state of public health emergency. New measures coming on social gatherings, worship services, business, schools "and all Albertans."
Kenney says social gatherings are the biggest problem.
Indoor social gatherings now barred, outdoor gatherings limited to 10 people. Weddings/funerals limited to 10 people, no receptions allowed.
The new measures will be enforced through fines.
Starting Friday, there will be new restrictions on businesses, banquet halls, conference centres and concert venues will be closed. Sports not allowed unless league has strong COVID plan.
Retail can stay open but reduced to 25% of occupancy. In-person dining allowed but only with your own household.
On Nov. 30, all students in Grades 7-12 will move to online learning, on Dec. 18, all students will go on winter break until Jan. 11.
Masks are now mandatory at all indoor workplaces in Edmonton and Calgary.
Kenney says these new measures are "tough but necessary."
The new measures are being put in place now so they can be re-evaluated before Christmas.
The restrictions will be re-evaluated in three weeks, if they don't work, "we will be forced to take more drastic measures," says Kenney.
Health Minister @shandro now speaking. Going over the new measures in greater details. Says if someone lives alone, you can have two in-home social contacts.
@shandro Anyone not following the measures can be given a $1,000 fine, which could become a $100,000 fine if done through the courts.
@shandro Today's #COVID19AB
New cases: 1,115
Tests: 13,5000/8.3% positivity
In hospital:348
In ICU: 66
Sadly, 16 new deaths are being reported today.
@shandro Kenney says he is confident the new measures will get the transmission rate, the R value, below 1 by Dec. 15.
@shandro "If you're holding indoor social events, they're now illegal, that's astonishing," says Kenney.
@shandro Anyone upset by the new measures should think about those in hospital, or those waiting for surgery or a prodedure who can't get it right now, says Kenney.
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