LAKELAND - For the next four weeks, all Albertans will be governed by a provincial health order mandating the use of face coverings in all public places across the province.
The decision — announced this afternoon in a province-wide address by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney — came just an hour after Lac La Biche County councillors decided to table discussions on their own mask bylaw. Council instead instructed their administration to prepare a draft bylaw they could discuss at their next meeting.
With the province's over-arching order now in place, the municipality's bylaw will likely not be voted on.
In the hour-long news conference, Premier Kenney along with several caucus ministers and the province's Chief Medical Officer of Health detailed several new restrictions in place for all Albertans, including banning all indoor and outdoor social gatherings, reductions on customer numbers in all Alberta businesses, the closure of sit-down service in all restaurants and bars, allowing only take-out and delivery services, as well as the expansion of some funding avenues for small business. Recreation centres like the Bold Center, libraries, swimming pools and community halls will also be closed for the next four weeks. Outdoor skating rinks and outdoor ski hills can remain open for public use, say provincial officials.
Measures implemented on November 27 affecting students in Alberta's primary schools will remain in place with no additional measures put into effect.
While the mask mandate is in effect immediately, the social gathering restrictions and new business measures will come into effect 12 am Sunday, December 13.
Lakeland This Week will have more details and comments on the latest measures from local and regional sources.
