I'm live-tweeting today's #COVID19AB press conference, set to begin... now. Follow along below. @calgaryherald @calgarysun
Some background from my pal, @jasonfherring. calgaryherald.com/news/local-new…
Premier Jason Kenney's Facebook page says the GoA will be "introducing a path forward for easing COVID-19 health restrictions, with clear benchmarks for hospitalizations. This will begin with step one, with some restrictions easing on Feb. 8." #COVID19AB #ableg #abpoli
The conference hasn't started yet, FYI. Just listening to some upbeat tunes right now. You can also listen (and watch the update), here:
Uh, it just started mid-sentence. Kenney IS here.
"Alberta's government has always regarded restrictions as a last and limited policy approach," he says, adding Alberta has less severe restrictions compared to other jurisdictions because of the economy and mental health concerns. #COVID19AB
He says we can gradually relax public health restrictions, but this must be done "carefully, slowly" and not be driven by opinions but data. The key metric will be hospitalizations and ICU admissions. #COVID19AB
Daily case numbers and growth will be used to guide decisions to pause the plan to relax COVID-19 restrictions or enhance existing measures, says Kenney. #COVID19AB
Kenney is now "walking us through the plan" they have developed, with specific benchmarks to drive each stage. #COVID19AB
Kenney says step one will ease restrictions related to schools, outdoor and indoor children's sports, indoor fitness for adults and dine-in establishments. Public health measures will still be in place. #COVID19AB
He says they have moved below 600 hospitalizations, which led to step one. "We are comfortable to proceed," says Kenney, on Feb. 8. #COVID19AB
Details on step two. #COVID19AB 
Details on step three. #COVID19AB
Details on step four. #COVID19AB
"We know that as measures are eased, there will be the risk of greater community spread," says Kenney. "That is why moving from one step to another will not be done automatically once a benchmark is reached." #COVID19AB
They'll pay "constant attention" to leading indicators like r-value, positivity rate, case numbers etc. to tell them whether to "stop, regroup or tighten restrictions." #COVID19AB
There will be a minimum of three weeks between steps and ongoing screening and monitoring of variants, Kenney says. #COVID19AB
"With the new variants that are circulating around the world and are far more contagious, we must be more cautious, in some respects, than we have been before," says Kenney. #COVID19AB
Dr. Hinshaw is up now. She says 543 new cases of COVID-19 have been identified over the last 24 hours from about 11,600 tests. The positivity rate is about 4.5 per cent. #COVID19AB
Hinshaw says 12 more cases of COVID-19 variants have been identified. Overall, Alberta has recorded 31 cases of the U.K. strain and six of the South African strain. Of the 37 cases, all but three are linked to travel. Those three are from the same household, she says. #COVID19AB
Health minister Tyler Shandro is speaking now. He says 104,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered. More than 14,000 Albertans are fully immunized. #COVID19AB
Moderna is also delaying shipments of vaccine to Canada, in addition to previously announced delays of Pfizer. Bad news for Alberta's rollout strategy, says Shandro. #COVID19AB
Shandro says it's "impossible" to say how much Moderna vaccine will be received by the province in coming weeks. #COVID19AB
Didn't type fast enough earlier, but there are now 594 Albertans in hospital, 110 of whom are in ICU. Yesterday there were 591 in hospital and 112 in ICU. #COVID19AB
Question time now. Expect there is A LOT.
First question about mixed messages in Alberta. Shandro says they are providing a "roadmap" of what can happen, but if they do see significant increases they will adjust their response. #COVID19AB
Kenney adds "we're taking a very gradual, step-by-step, approach here." Says they will monitor "very closely" but they must balance people's mental health and the economy with the dangers of the virus. #COVID19AB
Hinshaw says "ideally, as we move forward, we strike that right balance between a slow, gradual, monitored safe approach" but also have the ability to move backwards if they have to. #COVID19AB
Question now about rule breakers in Alberta. Kenney says their approach has always been to educate rather than enforce. He says it is "regrettable" to see some people "thumbing their nose" at the law and public health. #COVID19AB
Elected government officials disregarding public health measures is totally irresponsible, says Kenney. #COVID19AB
Kenney is really going off on the folks who have opened against public health guidance, saying they are disregarding the lives of Alberta's most vulnerable. "Folks, don't you understand, we are 11 months into this," he says. #COVID19AB
"General community transmission does cost lives, which is why this is irresponsible and selfish," says Kenney. #COVID19AB
Question about how much of this decision has to do with "growing frustrations" with restrictions in areas where UCP enjoys support. Kenney says "we have to make these decisions based on the best information we have, not on political considerations." #COVID19AB
Question about data related to transmission/risk for businesses included in step one. Kenney offers no specifics. Hinshaw says they have seen success in B.C. in similar areas, which is a helpful example for Alberta. #COVID19AB
Next one is about COVID-19 variants and the relaxing of restrictions. Hinshaw says a key component of the plan is that each "small step" is followed by a minimum three weeks of observation. #COVID19AB
Hinshaw says the benefit of significant testing for incoming travellers has allowed them to identify and contain COVID-19 variants from spreading. #COVID19AB
"It really, as it always has been, is up to us to be able to maintain that forward momentum. But if our case count continues to rise again, we will have to stop that progress," says Hinshaw. #COVID19AB
Next question is about vaccine plans. Shandro says they haven't made decisions yet on which groups of Albertans will be delayed for vaccines because of limited shipments of vaccine to Canada. #COVID19AB
Details on the 14 new deaths announced today. Provincial death toll is now 1,620. #COVID19AB
Last question in French. Sorry, no idea what's been asked. @RickyLeongYYC?
The press conference may be over, but I have some additional details coming your way. #COVID19AB
Here are the guidelines related to indoor fitness. Among them, only one-on-one training will be permitted for indoor fitness activities. #COVID19AB
Details on indoor and outdoor children’s sports and performance:
For restaurants, cafes and pubs, a maximum of six people will be allowed per table. They must be individuals from same household or the designated two close contacts for people living alone. #COVID19AB
Alright, that's that. Happy Friday, I guess.
Here's our updated story, by @jasonfherring. calgaryherald.com/news/local-new…
Jokes, you can't get rid of me yet. Here are some helpful screenshots of the plans for steps one through four. #COVID19AB @calgaryherald @calgarysun
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