Premier Kenney announced Friday that due to the downward trends of COVID 19 case numbers, hospitalizations, and ICU admissions Calgary and Brooks may now join the rest of the province in the Phase One relaunch. This means on Monday May 25, hair salons, barbershops and cafes restaurant, bars and pubs will be able to open to table service with 50% capacity. 

Premier Kenney commended Albertan's in our success at flattening the curve however, he did add a somber warning. "COVID 19 still poses a very real risk and we must all continue to act responsibly and look out for one another. Alberta has so far, lost 132 lives to this pandemic and that number is still likely to rise over the weeks to come."

Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced Friday that non-emergency surgical procedures requiring a hospital stay would be offered in Alberta again beginning next week and two maternity wards that had been temporarily shuttered would reopen. He too commended Albertan's on a job well done. “Albertans have done a great job of flattening the curve of COVID-19 infections and reducing the risk to the dedicated women and men working in our hospitals. As a result, we can safely resume providing more of the scheduled care Albertans need."

Monday May 25th will also see another increase in testing. Testing will be provided to the 27,000 residents and 44,000 staff members at long-term care and Level 4 designated supportive living facilities in Alberta. The tests will be administered to anyone who requests one even if they have no COVID-19 symptoms. As well, AHS is expanding the online self-assessment tool for the Calgary region. Symptomatic individuals within the zone will be able to book their own testing appointment if they live within 50 kilometres of an assessment centre. That is providing the self-assessment tool indicates a test is required.

Alberta continues to lead the world in testing.