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    Are places of worship (churches, synagogues) excluded from the Restrictions Exemption Program?

    13 days ago
    • Yes, places of worship conducting faith services are currently out of scope for REP. 
    • Places of worship can rent their space after hours under the REP if:
      1. They rent space for REP-eligible events outside regular worship service hours.
      2. Weddings and funerals at any location, including places of worship, can implement REP.
    • Faith activities for youth (under 18) are out of scope for REP.
    placeofworship
    placeofworship
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    What is the Restrictions Exemption Program?

    16 days ago
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    rep
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    Can businesses receive consent from patrons that visit regularly to record their proof of vaccination, instead of checking their proof of vaccination every time they visit?

    13 days ago
    • Operators that offer memberships for entry (e.g., a fitness facility) may verify the vaccination status (with an acceptable proof of vaccination, as outlined above) of an individual one time to allow repeat access to the facility.
      1. Operators should obtain legal advice about collecting and maintaining a list of individuals that can enter and re-enter a facility (e.g., so that repeat clients do not need to show proof of vaccination each time)
      2. Personal health information including a copy of a person’s vaccine record must not be stored onsite; operators are encouraged to obtain legal advice on collecting and storing health information.
    • An operator which has previously implemented a one-time proof of vaccination check must ensure that the proof of vaccination previously verified by the operators meets the current requirements of REP.
      1. Valid Government of Alberta vaccination QR code and not a form of proof of vaccination which is no longer valid.
    • Operators must ensure there are appropriate processes and procedures in place to prevent fraud or misuse of a one-time verification or proof of vaccination.
    proofofvaccine
    proofofvaccine
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    Why is retail excluded from the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP)?

    13 days ago
    • Retail and shopping malls are not eligible for the Restrictions Exemption Program as public access is necessary for daily living. 
    • Alberta has declared a state of public health emergency and is taking targeted action to protect the health system and stop the spread of COVID-19. 
    • The current situation remains critical as hospitalizations continue to challenge the health system that all Albertans rely on. 
    • These decisions were not taken lightly and were based on the best, most up-to-date information and data. 
    • Health officials will continue to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19 and health system to assess whether additional action is needed to reduce transmission. 
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    retail
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    If my business is deemed out-of-scope can I still implement a Proof of Vaccination program?

    13 days ago
    • Businesses that are out-of-scope are not able to implement the Restrictions Exemption Program as set out under Order 45-2021 and Order 46-2021.
    • Businesses are permitted to set their own standards, which can be above and beyond provincial guidance as part of a business decision. 
    • This could include, for example, having fewer patrons than the maximum noted in the order, or in having proof of vaccine program for requiring patrons entering a store to be vaccinated – even if not part of the Restrictions Exemption Program. 
    • However, implementing restrictions such as proof of vaccination would be voluntary, and the business must continue to follow all public health requirements of Order 44-2021 and Order 47-2021 (e.g. the 1/3 capacity, masking and physical distancing).
    • Go to alberta.ca/covid19 for the most up-to-date information on restrictions to contain COVID-19.
    proofofvaccine,outofscope
    proofofvaccine outofscope
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    Public washrooms are often located in public spaces within day lodges and are not specific to retail or restaurant space or patrons. Is proof of vaccination required for people accessing indoor washrooms?

    13 days ago
    • A ski hill/resort that chooses to implement REP must implement it for all indoor areas of the ski hill/resort, including food service venues, indoor amenities, retail and rental businesses/entities, and enclosed chair lifts or gondolas.
      1. If implementing REP, the operators must check attendees for proof of vaccination/test result/medical exception before entering any indoor amenity, enclosed chair lift or gondola.
    washrooms
    washrooms
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    Will ski resorts that implement the Restrictions Exemption Program be able to operate at 100% lift capacity?

    13 days ago
    • A ski hill/resort that implements the REP indoors is not required to implement REP for access to its outdoor amenities (e.g., ski hills, cross-country ski trails) but may choose to do so.
    • Individuals at a ski hill/resort are not required to physically distance on open-air chair lifts, regardless of REP participation.
    • If a ski hill/resort implements REP, there is no requirement for individuals to physically distance on enclosed chair lifts or gondolas.
      1. Ski hills/resorts that do not implement REP must enforce two metres physical distancing on enclosed chair lifts and gondolas, as well as all other indoor and outdoor amenities.
    capacity,ski
    capacity ski
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    Are business operators and their staff expected to remove non-compliant customers who refuse to wear a mask in a store?

    15 days ago
    • On October 7, 2021, the Government of Alberta announced that it will bring in new supports for businesses implementing the Restrictions Exemption Program. 
    • One of the announced supports is the REP Training Grant, which will be available for training to support the safety of workers when implementing the Restrictions Exemption Program.
    • Eligible industry associations across Alberta will be able to use the REP Training Grant to help workers assess and manage challenging situations that may arise during their daily work. 
      1. More information on the safety training can be found at the Restrictions Exemption Program - Safety Training website. 
    • As announced on October 7, 2021, the Government of Alberta will also be doubling fines for contravening public health orders, including the mistreatment of workers doing the difficult work ensuring public health orders are being followed, from $2,000 to $4,000.
    • In relation to masking, a retail store should: 
      1. post signage of the requirement to wear a mask,
      2. remind a non-mask wearing customer of their requirement to wear a mask as soon as possible once entering the store,
      3. where available, offer a free disposable mask, or curbside/online service as an alternative,
      4. have a policy within their store about how to deal with those not wearing a mask, and
      5. contact local enforcement if necessary.
    • If a store's policy for handling confrontational situations is to de-escalate the situation and complete the sale, then that store will not be charged for doing so.
    enforcement,masking
    enforcement masking
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    Do children 12 and up need to show vaccination status?

    15 days ago
    • Children for whom ten or more weeks have elapsed since the person has turned 12 years of age will have to show vaccination status.
    • Individuals who are under the age of 18 do not need to show personal identification.
    proofofvaccine,youth
    proofofvaccine youth
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    If the entire ski facility has decided to implement the Restrictions Exemption Program, can retail shops be excluded from the capacity limits?

    13 days ago
    • A ski hill/resort that chooses to implement REP must implement it for all indoor areas of the ski hill/resort, including food service venues, indoor amenities, retail and rental businesses/entities, and enclosed chair lifts or gondolas.
      1. If implementing REP, the operators must check attendees for proof of vaccination/test result/medical exception before entering any indoor amenity, enclosed chair lift or gondola.
    ski,retail
    ski retail