Alberta's Plan to Lift COVID-19 Public Health Restrictions

The Government of Alberta announced a 3-stage plan to lift COVID-19 restriction

Stage 1- to take effect at 11:59 p.m. February 8, 2022

• Restriction Exemption Program Removed.
• Restriction on food and beverage at entertainment venues removed; other restrictions remain in effect.
• Capacity limits removed for all except for
  • Facilities with capacity of 500 to 1,000, which will be limited to 500.
  • Facilities with capacity of 1,000-plus, which will be limited to 50 per cent.

In effect on February 14, 2022:

• No masking requirements for children and youth 12 and under
• No masking requirements for children and youth in schools for any age.

Stage 2 - Takes effect March 1, 2022 (target date)

• Indoor masking no longer required
• Remaining school requirements removed
• Youth screening no longer required for entertainment / sports
• No capacity limits on all large venues and entertainment venues
• Limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings lifted
• mandatory work from home lifted

Stage 3 - To be determined

• COVID operational and outbreak protocols lifted in continuing care facilities
• No longer required to isolate

Dec 2021

While Alberta Basketball (ABA) does not currently have our own proof of vaccination policy, we are bound by the terms of our rental contracts with our facilities, in addition to provincial public health orders and municipal bylaws. We have been in continued contact with the facilities that host our events and programs to be able to provide the most up to date information on Covid requirements. Most of our facilities are requiring proof of vaccination or medical exemptions for all vaccine eligible individuals (12+) who enter their facilities* including:

• Saville Community Sports Centre
• Concordia University
• All City of Calgary facilities due to the existing bylaw:
• Mt. Royal University
• Rundle College
• SAIT
• University of Calgary

*Note: Some facilities are more restrictive than others, including whether they accept negative tests, or require additional requirements on individuals who are medically exempt. The above list may not be exhaustive as facilities continue to update/create their entry policies.

Facility access has always been a challenge. There are additional limitations to facilities as many schools are not renting to outside user groups at this time. As more businesses and facilities institute COVID-19 related policies (i.e., vaccination policies, masking policies, spectator restrictions), ABA members need to be prepared to adhere to these policies.

Moving forward, ABA will work with our member organizations to share information on best practices regarding any policy or public health guidance updates and provide new information as soon as it becomes available.

Sincerely,

Alberta Basketball Staff

On Monday, September 13, nine Alberta post-secondary institutions (University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge, MacEwan University, Medicine Hat College, Mount Royal University, NAIT, SAIT, and NorQuest College) announced they would be adopting the following enhanced safety measures for all students, staff and visitors to attend campus:

• Campus community members and visitors will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend campuses
• Campus community members and visitors will be required to provide proof of vaccination
• Rapid testing will no longer be accepted as an alternative to vaccination, except for campus community members who cannot be vaccinated based on medical or other protected grounds outlined in the Alberta Human Rights Act. These individuals should follow the self-declaration exemption procedures already in place at their post-secondary institution and will be reasonably accommodated.

Implementation timelines and details for these new measures have varied from institution to institution according to their specific policies with ongoing updates provided.

While Alberta Basketball does not currently have a proof of vaccination policy; participants in our programs must be aware of and follow requirements of facilities and institutions that we utilize in addition to existing public health orders.  

To reiterate, Alberta Basketball does not currently have a proof of vaccination policy; however, participants in our programs must follow requirements of facilities and institutions that we utilize in addition to existing public health orders. As more businesses and facilities institute COVID-19 related protocols (i.e., vaccination policies, masking policies, spectator restrictions), Alberta Basketball members should prepare to adhere to these policies.