70.2% of eligible Albertans vaccinated, province to move to Stage 3 of reopening
Posted Jun 18, 2021 1:05 pm.
Last Updated Jun 18, 2021 3:39 pm.
EDMONTON – Alberta will be moving forward into stage three of its reopening plan after the province reached the vaccination threshold to jump ahead.
Premier Jason Kenney confirmed the news Friday afternoon, announcing that 70.2 per cent of eligible Albertans–over 2.6 million people–have at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.
WATCH: Kenney, Shandro provide an update on vaccinations in the province
A quarter of eligible Albertans have both doses of the vaccine.
All restrictions, including limits on outdoor gatherings and bans on indoor gatherings, are expected to be completely gone in time for Canada Day.
“Thanks to the diligence of Albertans and the decision of 2.7 million folks to get vaccinated, we are now just two weeks away from getting our lives back to normal,” said Kenney.
“This is an important milestone and a great achievement, but we will not stop here. We will keep administering first and second doses as quickly as possible so we’re not just open for summer, but open for good.”
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People who are sick with COVID-19 will still have to isolate after a positive test and some protective measures in long-term care homes will remain in place.
The province says the mask mandate will also be lifted, but local mask rules may still be in some cities or businesses.
Calgary and Edmonton have not said yet if they will lift their mask bylaws when the province lifts its mandate.
