COVID-19 Update: New Restrictions Announced in Alberta

The Alberta government announced that the province will be moving back into Step 1 of COVID-19 restrictions. Effective Friday, April 9 at noon, restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes will no longer be permitted to provide indoor in-person dining services. However, they will be able to operate outdoor patio dining, takeout, curbside pickup and delivery.

For businesses that will be providing outdoor patio dining services, additional requirements must be followed:

• Seating must be limited to six individuals per table
• Dining parties must consist of individuals of the same household or of two close contacts for a person living alone
• Dining tables must be placed two metres apart or separated by an impermeable barrier that will prevent the transmission of droplets
• Diners must stay seated unless using the restrooms, paying, or entering/exiting the facility
• Masks must be worn when indoors
• Contact information must be collected from one person of the dining party
• Liquor service must end at 10 pm
• Patio dining must close by 11 pm
• Entertainment, such as pool tables and live music, is not permitted

Banquet halls, community halls and conference centres can open for wedding ceremonies (up to 10 people) or funeral services (up to 20 people) but are not permitted to conduct wedding receptions, funeral receptions or trade shows.

Retail services and shopping malls must reduce customer capacity to 15 percent. Curbside pickup, delivery and online services are encouraged.

Hotels and motels are prohibited from providing indoor in-person dining services and will only be able to provide room service. All entertainment businesses, such as casinos, nightclubs, movie theatres, amusement parks and racing centres, must remain closed.

Alberta will remain in Step 1 with these restrictions in place until further notice.

The Canadian Institute of Food Safety will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on changing restrictions as they occur.