Thread by @CTVCalgary

WATCH LIVE: Kenney to announce plan to lift COVID-19 restrictions at 5 p.m.: edmonton.ctvnews.ca/kenney-to-anno…

We are hearing the start of this announcement will be delayed a few minutes

WATCH LIVE NOW

Kenney going over what drove today's announcement, says we are past the peak of the 5th wave, hospital rates starting to go down, names a few countries that have lifted measures in recent weeks, including U.S. states.

Kenney says it has been his government' approach to only keep restrictions in place as long as ncessary, goal was always to stop health system from being overwhelmed.

Kenney says "now is the time for learning to live with COVID," which he says has "destroyed so many livelihoods."

BREAKING: Kenney announces three step plan to lift restrictions. Stage 1 at 11:59 p.m., vaccine passport program ended, restrictions on bars/restaurant/entertainment venues lifted and capacity limits removed for large venues.

As of Feb. 14, children under age 12 exempt from mask rules and masks no longer needed in schools.

Phase 2 target is March 1 when most other restrictions will be removed, including indoor mask wearing and work from home. Will monitor and when safe move to Phase 3, which is all other rules lifted

Kenney encourages people to continue making smart decisions

Health Minister Jason Copping says they will continue to monitor COVID and "will take action" if warranted. Encourages Albertans to get vaccinated if you haven't.

Today's #COVID19AB update:
New cases: 1,667
Testing: 4,260/36%
In hospital: 1,623
In ICU: 129
Sadly, 13 new deaths are being reported.

As the rules begin coming off, Dr. Hinshaw says people should be mindful of others.

Q: Alberta is first province to remove vaccine passports, is that a point of pride for you?
A: It's not about pride, it's about being practical and realistic. Program served its purpose, got vaccine rates up, which Kenney says saved "hundreds" of lives.

Q: Will business owners be able to keep the vaccine passport program?
A: (Kenney) Yes, they have that right under law and is part of the free market. Businesses can choose to have that policy, may appeal to one kind of customer and upset others.

Q: You said it's inevitable we'll see other variants, we had 'Open for Summer' last year, what would trigger return to restrictions?
A: The truth is we simply don't know. History tells us we can "reasonably hope" COVID will go in similar direction as Spanish flu, moved to endemic

Kenney says we have more effective and widely available vaccines today so reasonable to hope we won't get into a worse situation, but we don't know that for sure so have to be prepared for what may come at us in the future.

Q: What do you say to a business that wants to continue using vaccine passports?
A: As long as we're issuing those QR codes I suppose they can do so, Kenney wants feds to end "public health theatre that has informed travel restrictions."

Q: We have a vaccine passport bylaw and mask bylaw in Calgary, what are you prepared to do to ensure Calgary/Edmonton residents will be on the same page?
A: Haven't made any decisions, asked health/muni ministers to give options, says they have tried to be collaborative

Kenney says turning public health policy into a political football is not helpful. Calgary Mayor @JyotiGondek is set to respond to the province's announcement at 6:30 p.m.

@JyotiGondek Q: The last two years have been divisive, how do we move on from here?
A: Everyone has thoughts on policy and opinions of family and friends. Is one of the tragedies of last two years. Tried to say we need a lot of patience for one another, I am concerned about this.