COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) Information

Status in Alberta

For up-to-date information on the situation within Alberta, please visit the Government of Alberta's website for COVID-19 coronavirus info. Individuals can also access Alberta Health Services' COVID-19 Self-Assessment tool online to help determine whether they should be tested for COVID-19.

Government of Alberta COVID-19 coronavirus updates

Alberta Health Services COVID-19 coronavirus updates

Resources

Questions and answers for liquor licensed venues

Questions and answers for gaming venues

Questions and answers for cannabis retailers

Guidance for casinos and racing entertainment centres (RECs)

Guidance for restaurants, cafes, pubs, and bars

Business - Help prevent the spread of COVID-19 posters

AGLC Updates

May 5, 2021 - 2:00 p.m.

On May 4, 2021, the Alberta government introduced new mandatory health restrictions to help stop the spike of COVID-19 in communities with more than 50 cases per 100,000 people and with 30 or more active cases.

Effective May 5, retail services, including liquor and cannabis stores, must limit customer capacity to 10 per cent of fire code occupancy (not including staff) or a minimum of five customers. Curbside pickup and delivery (as permitted by AGLC policy and regulations), as well as online services are encouraged.

Effective May 9 at 11:59 p.m., in-person dining on patios is prohibited at all restaurants, bars, pubs, lounges and cafés. Take-out and delivery services are still permitted. 

Temporary authority to enforce public health orders, including those impacting retail and food and beverage services (restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges, cafés) remain in effect for enforcement partners, including AGLC, with increased fines of $2,000 per ticketed offence and up to $100,000 through the courts.

For more information on Alberta’s current public health orders, please visit: alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx

April 30, 2021 - 10:00 a.m.

On April 29, 2021, the Alberta government announced new regional restrictions to help bend the curve. Government has granted certain Alberta peace officers and community peace officers temporary authority to enforce public health orders, including those impacting retail and food and beverage services (restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges, cafés). Not following mandatory restrictions will result in fines of $1,000 per ticketed offence and up to $100,000 through the courts.

April 7, 2021 - 11:00 a.m.

On April 6, 2021, the government announced that Alberta is returning to Step 1 of the four-step framework to protect the health system and reduce the rising spread of COVID-19 provincewide.

Effective at 11:59 p.m. on April 6, 2021, all retail services and shopping malls must limit customer capacity to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy, not including staff.

• Liquor retail outlets may remain open with capacity limited to 15 per cent of the occupancy set under the Alberta Fire Code.
• Cannabis retail outlets may remain open with capacity limited to 15 per cent occupancy.
• This includes individual stores and common areas.

Effective at noon on Friday, April 9, in-person services is no longer permitted in restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes.

• Takeout, curbside pickup and delivery services are permitted.
• Outdoor patio dining is also allowed. Tables and dining parties must be two metres apart or separated by an impermeable barrier that will prevent droplet transmission.
• Household members only, or two close contacts of someone who lives alone.
• Contact information must be collected from one person of the dining party.
   

March 10, 2021 - 10:00 a.m.

With hospitalizations well below 450, on March 8, 2021, the Alberta government announced the completion of Step 2.

Effective March 8, 2021, all retail services and shopping malls must limit customer capacity to 25 per cent of fire code occupancy, not including staff. This is an increase from 15 per cent.

• Liquor retail outlets may remain open with capacity limited to 25 per cent of the occupancy set under the Alberta Fire Code.
• Cannabis retail outlets may remain open with capacity limited to 25 per cent occupancy.
• This includes individual stores and common areas.

February 1, 2021 - 3:00 p.m.

On January 29, 2021, government announced that additional health measures will ease beginning February 8 for restaurants, indoor fitness and some children’s activities.

Step 1 of Alberta’s four-step framework to ease restrictions is based on a COVID-19 hospitalization benchmark of 600, including intensive care patients, which was reached on January 28.

Effective February 8:

• Restaurants, cafes and pubs must collect the contact information of one person from the dining party.
• Up to a maximum of six people per table; individuals must be from same household or the two close contacts for people living alone.
• Liquor service ends at 10 p.m.
• In-person dining must close by 11 p.m.
• No entertainment allowed (e.g., no VLTs, pool tables, live music, etc.)

At this time, gaming facilities including casinos, racing entertainment centres, bingo halls and VLT retailers remain closed. The full, four-step framework for easing restrictions can be viewed here.

AGLC will continue to monitor and assess current health measures that impact licensees and provide updates to this page as they are made available.

January 22, 2021 - 10:00 a.m.

On January 21, 2021, the Alberta government announced current public health measures will remain in place provincewide until further notice. At this time, the following restrictions remain in place:

• all restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes in Alberta may not offer in-person service.
• all casinos, bingo halls, gaming entertainment centres, racing entertainment centres, horse tracks and private clubs remain closed.
• reduced customer capacity for retail services to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy.

Please refer to the Questions and Answers for Gaming Venues, Liquor Licensed Venues and Cannabis Retailers under Resources in the section above for the most up-to-date information. More information on sector guidelines can be found at Alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx.

January 8, 2021 - 10:30 a.m.

On January 7, 2021, the Alberta government announced enhanced public health measures will remain in place provincewide until at least January 21. At this time, the following restrictions remain in place:

• all restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes in Alberta will no longer offer in-person service.
• all casinos, bingo halls, gaming entertainment centres, racing entertainment centres, horse tracks and private clubs will be closed.
• the reduction of customer capacity for retail services to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy.

Please refer to the Questions and Answers for Gaming Venues, Liquor Licensed Venues and Cannabis Retailers under Resources in the section above for the most up-to-date information. More information on sector guidelines can be found at Alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx.

For previous updates, please visit Archived Updates.