COVID-19

Many schools across the province will be welcoming back students and teachers from their February break today; and in less than 24 hours schools across the province will look much different, as Alberta moves to step two of its plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions.

The mandatory mask mandate was lifted for students across the province on February 14, when in school or on the school bus.

Now, starting tomorrow masks will be optional for both youth and adults in most indoor settings right across Alberta.

Northwestern Ontario residents are finally able to travel again without needing a mandatory PCR test prior to arrival. The federal government has eased international travel restrictions today, despite still listing the act of travelling to any country abroad as high-risk.

“This will make it much easier for Canadians to return home, especially for short trips to the United States,” said Kenora MP Eric Melillo, in an interview with the Q Morning Show on February 25.

Mandatory proof of vaccination will be lifted tomorrow as we move into the new month.  

While talking with the Q104 Morning Show, Greg Rickford, MPP for the Kenora-Rainy River riding, shared his thoughts about more COVID-19 safety measures being removed.  

Operation Remote Immunity 3.0 has ended.  

After nearly 200 vaccine clinics in 29 remote and isolated indigenous communities, Indigenous Services Canada announced that Operation Remote Immunity 3.0 (ORI 3.0) would be ending.  

Alberta will lift most of its remaining COVID-19 health measures. 

Premier Jason Kenney and health minister Jason Copping announced the province would move to step two of easing public health measures. 

As of Mar.1, the following measures will be updated: 

The province has announced, beginning next week, COVID-19 bulletins will only be issued on Thursdays. With that in mind, DiscoverWestman will also move to publishing COVID-19 updates only on Thursdays, to coincide with the adjustment to the release schedule. 

Public health officials advise 11 new deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today:

Ontario’s top doctor says vaccinated residents should take advantage of the upcoming March Break.

Ahead of travel restrictions easing next week across Canada, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, said in a press conference on February 24 that the risk of international travel has continued to decrease throughout the year – and March Break is a great target for hopeful travellers.

Ontario says they’re keeping a close eye on the rise of COVID-19 cases in the province’s far north, with critics saying the easing of public health measures across the province may have happened too quickly for many First Nation communities.

As of February 24, the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority is reporting a total of 445 active COVID-19 cases across their catchment area, which includes 30 First Nation communities in the Kenora and Kiiwetinoong ridings.

Despite Ontario loosening public health measures and restrictions across the province, some local long-term care homes aren’t following suit due to the area’s high COVID-19 case counts.

Chief Executive Officer and District Administrator for Kenora District Homes, Kevin Queen, confirms that in the interest of protecting their residents, they have decided against relaxing restrictions at Pinecrest in Kenora, until the area’s COVID-19 positivity rate is closer to the provincial average.

The province is trying to make it easier for parents to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19.  

From Mar. 2 to 16, Alberta Health Service (AHS) clinics will provide vaccines for kids aged 5 to 11 on a walk-in basis. Also, beginning Mar. 2, approximately 150 pharmacies and some doctor's offices will offer the vaccine.  

The children's vaccine was previously only available by appointment through select AHS clinics.