COVID-19 Update for Whitecourt
Posted on:As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, we ask that community members be mindful of current provincial public health measures announced by the Government of Alberta on October 5.
Indoor Social Gatherings
- For those that are vaccinated – Indoor, private social gatherings are limited to two households up to a maximum of 10 vaccine-eligible, vaccinated people. (There are no restrictions on children under 12.)
- For those that are unvaccinated – Indoor social gatherings are not permitted for vaccine-eligible people who are unvaccinated.
Outdoor social gatherings
- Outdoor private social gatherings limited to a maximum of 20 people, with 2 metre physical distancing between households at all times.
- Events like outdoor funerals and weddings are not impacted by this change. These events are permitted up to 200 people and must follow liquor sales and consumption restrictions unless the hosting facility implements the Restrictions Exemption Program.
The Province also announced new public reporting and safety measures that will be implemented within schools across Alberta. For details, please visit www.alberta.ca/k-12-learning-during-covid-19.aspx.
Vaccine Program
More than 84% of eligible Albertans are now protected with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 75% are fully vaccinated. Vaccines dramatically reduce the risk of severe outcomes and the risk of infection.
Vaccines are the most powerful tool in the fight against COVID-19. Vaccine appointments are widely available through Alberta Health Services or participating pharmacies and physician clinics. Book yours at alberta.ca/vaccine. First doses are also available at select walk-in clinic locations.
In addition to Albertans aged 75 and older, and First Nations, Métis and Inuit people aged 65 and older, third doses are available for seniors living in congregate care. These individuals are at the highest risk of severe outcomes and potential spread within congregate living sites, and will receive their doses on-site. A number of immunocompromising conditions also qualify for an additional dose at least eight weeks after a second dose. For a full list, visit alberta.ca/vaccine. Additional mRNA doses are also available to Albertans who are travelling to a jurisdiction that does not accept visitors who have been vaccinated with Covishield/AstraZeneca or mixed doses. Anyone in the general population who receives a complete two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series can be confident that they have strong protection against severe illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19.