Wednesday 3 February 2021

COVID Restrictions TownHall Feb 3rd review

As a Chamber we had no questions submitted by the Membership to ask.This is a review of the meeting with concerns raised from across the Province.

STEP 1
<600 hospitalizations

STEP 2
<450 hospitalizations

STEP 3
<300 hospitalizations

STEP 4
<150 hospitalizations

Potential easing in these areas:

  • Restaurants
  • Indoor fitness
  • Indoor and outdoor children's sport and performance (school-related)

 

 

Steps based on hospitalization benchmarks

Potential easing in these areas:

·         Retail

·         Banquet halls

·         Community halls

·         Conference centres

·         Hotels

·         Further easing of indoor fitness and children's sport and performance

Potential easing in these areas:

·     Adult team sports

·     Casinos, racing centres and bingo halls

·     Indoor social gatherings with restrictions

·     Indoor seated events (movie theatres and auditoria)

·     Libraries

·     Museums, art galleries, zoos, interpretive centres

·     Places of worship

Potential easing in these areas:

·       Amusement parks

·       Concerts (indoor)

·       Festivals (indoor and outdoor)

·       Funeral receptions

·       Indoor entertainment centres and play centres

·       Performance activities (singing, dancing and wind instruments)

·       Sporting events (indoor and outdoor)

·       Tradeshows conferences and exhibiting events

·       Wedding ceremonies and receptions

·       Workplaces (lift working from home)

For latest information and updates visit:

Biz Connect AB

If you have questions or concerns contact:  jei.ministeroffice@gov.ab.ca

Feedback is a needed.

If you are a Sole Proprietorship, the issue of registration numbers has been sorted, as of Feb 4th.  You can now apply for Relaunch funding….

 

RESTAURANT EASEMENTS     

February 8th restriction easements, do not include personal changes.  Even if you are going to a restaurant, the protocol is the same as December, family household members only – Max of 6 people at a table.  No alcohol after 10pm and no food after 11pm.

FITNESS/DANCE CENTRES

Fitness centres have been hit very hard and even though restrictions are easing, they are firm at one – on – one training only.  Dance studios are included in the Fitness umbrella.  

Will the Dance Studios be moved to own category?  No.  Although sympathetic to crises of business sector, public health issues take priority.

Can bowling be a separate category?  Bowling not a 1 on 1 sport.

RESTRICTION EASEMENTS

If restrictions will only be eased after 3 weeks of reduced hospitalizations, how fast will restrictions be reset if numbers increase?

If there is only a small increase that happens slowly, then restrictions will probably remain.  If there is a quick increase, then the return of restrictions will happen just as quickly.

If safety protocols were the only factor that was needed to decide on Step Level easements, then things would happen more quickly.  But there are other factors that must be mitigated, especially with the new variants.  General Community transmission is the main issue.

If variants surged, then all easements can be rescinded and tighter controls would be put into place.  Total lockdown is the last option that would be considered.

Step 2 Banquet halls, hotels will be allowed to open with AHS restrictions for things like business meetings.

Museums are in Step 3, to allow slow opening of activities generally.  Still a public space where people from more than 1 household are present.

If you feel your business falls in the cracks or doesn’t meet full criteria, do contact the Minister’s office.  As a Chamber, we fell in the cracks and didn’t meet the initial criteria set for ReLaunch Funding.  We contacted the Minister’s office, more than once, and were finally able to make our point heard.  Changes have been made for Chambers and other Non-Profits, so we do qualify for financial help.

As with other businesses is this financial help enough to offset the losses incurred?  No, but it will keep the doors open and lights on!!  So don’t hesitate to contact them and make your point.

Contact info:

Biz Connect AB

If you have questions or concerns contact:  jei.ministeroffice@gov.ab.ca

Feedback is a needed.

 


Wednesday 30 September 2020

The New Greeter!

 The new Greeter!!

 

One of the changes the COVID has triggered is a New Greeter program…

 Yes this is a bit of a tongue in cheek blog today, but it is a part of our new neighbourhood!

 At one time  you were always greeted by a person when you entered a store, hotel, or place of business. Those days were thought to be a thing of the past.  Not anymore!  Now every time you enter a place of business, you are greeted by a new greeter, the Hand Sanitizer! 

It might be a stand-alone dispenser or may be accompanied by a person.  Please be kind.  The person is doing their job trying to keep everyone safe and following the rules.  The use of Hand Sanitizer is mandated by the Government as a way to reduce transmission of the coronavirus.

 

Some answers to the questions posed to our new Greeter:

 

When should hand sanitizer be used?

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) containing at least 60% alcohol can be used for hand hygiene if soap and water is not available. However, if hands are visibly soiled, hand wipes should be used to remove any such soil or organic material; this should then be followed by the use of ABHS.May 30, 2020

Community-based measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Canada

www.canada.ca › services › diseases › health-professionals

 

 

AHS answers to your questions:

https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/covid-19-relaunch-guidance-hand-sanitizer.pdf
Hand Sanitizer – What you need to know 1 alberta.ca/BizConnect Email: BizConnect@gov.ab.ca ©2020 Government of Alberta | Published: June 23, 2020

 

Overview

Hand hygiene refers to removing or killing microorganisms (germs) on the hands that have been picked up from contact with an infected person, contaminated surfaces or the environment. When performed correctly, hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and infections. Hand hygiene is performed either by using soap and running warm water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

When to use hand sanitizer? 

Use when soap and running water is not available.  When hands are NOT visibly dirty.  Upon entering and exiting a public place (e.g. mall, grocery store, playground).  After touching a multi-use shared object (e.g. elevator button, pin pad).

How to use hand sanitizer?

Depending on the size of your hands, the amount of hand sanitizer needed may vary.  Use enough product to cover hands and vigorously rub over hands until all surfaces are completely dry (about 20 seconds).  Do not rinse or wipe off the hand sanitizer before it is dry.  Always follow the label directions on hand sanitizer products.

Is hand sanitizer bad for skin? 

Hand sanitizer is generally well tolerated.  When used on healthy skin hand sanitizer should rarely cause skin problems.  To reduce the risk of skin irritation do not wash hand with soap and water immediately before or immediately after using hand sanitizer and do not put on gloves until hands are dry following the use of hand sanitizer.  For ongoing skin problems, speak with your doctor or work with your employer to determine if there are acceptable substitutes and appropriate lotions.

 

 

So the next time you enter a business, don’t forget to look for the New Greeter!  

They come in all shapes and sizes, may be alone or with a person, but will be by the door somewhere!.