During the May 12th update, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw noted the Alberta Biz Connect website will be updating regularly with new questions and clearer guidelines as time goes on. 

“An important thing for all businesses to consider is what mechanisms they can put in place so patrons can understand what is required of them. Business operators know their business better than we can,” said Dr. Hinshaw.

The doctor noted that employers may want to consider posting many instructional signs so that people are aware and reminded of what restrictions are in place. 

“It’s a two-way street. Customers and business operators are both responsible for being safe and using common sense,” added Hinshaw. 

If businesses have questions for opening, they can email bizconnect@gov.ab.ca for help with specific questions that have not been answered on the website. 

Dr. Hinshaw hopes people form family cohorts and continue on socializing with only a small group of people. 

“It is important that people still limit contact with others outside of this cohort. Social gatherings, where people share food and drinks are a risk. Kids' sleepovers with friends are a risk. These activities should only happen with a small cohort group,” said Dr. Hinshaw. 

In order for a successful relaunch, Dr. Hinshaw hopes all Albertans continue to practice social distancing and hand washing recommendations. The Emergency Management Cabinet Committee will be meeting today to discuss relaunch and a final decision will be announced during tomorrow’s COVID-19 update.

For more information on this update, click here. 

May 12th new case numbers:

  • 45 new cases of the virus
  • 73 people are hospitalized with COVID-19
  • 12 people have been admitted to ICU’s with COVID-19
  • 1,361 active cases in Alberta
  • 4,866 total recovered cases
  • 1 new death in the last 24 hours as result of the virus
  • 118 total deaths from the virus
  • 3,173 tests completed in the last 24 hours 
  • 191,330 tests have been performed in total

Central Alberta shows the following case numbers, available at alberta.ca.

  • City of Lacombe: 2 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 2 recovered
  • Lacombe County: 3 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 3 recovered
  • Red Deer County: 16 total cases
    • 4 active
    • 12 recovered
  • City of Red Deer: 37 total cases 
    • 3 active
    • 34 recovered 
  • Sylvan Lake: 3 total cases
    • 2 active cases
    • 1 recovered 
  • Ponoka County: 3 total cases
    • 1 active
    • 2 recovered
  • County of Wetaskiwin: 0 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 0 recovered
  • City of Wetaskiwin: 8 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 8 recovered
  • County of Stettler: 3 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 3 recovered
  • Mountain View County: 7 total cases
    • 1 active
    • 6 recovered