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

Our offices are open

The health and safety of our staff and customers remains our top priority at AGLC. We’re taking the next few months to be sure our employees are set up to serve you in a way that makes us all feel safe. In the meantime, the following service changes remain in place:

Prize Payout Offices in Calgary and St. Albert are now open by appointment.
Self-Exclusion Program sign ups are available by appointment.
The Hearing Panel Office will continue to accept applications for hearings and is contacting parties with pending applications to schedule hearings by written submission, teleconference or video conference.

Limited staff are available to receive payments and paperwork at our offices. At this time, in-person meetings are not taking place. Please contact our staff to request a teleconference or video conference meeting.now apply to the Alberta government for a $2,000 one-time payment to help offset some of the implementation costs.

Detailed information about the Restrictions Exemption Implementation Grant and the application process can be found at: Restrictions Exemption Program Implementation Grant | Alberta.ca

December 21, 2021 - 4:30 p.m.

The Alberta Government has announced new mandatory measures that take effect December 24, 2021, at 12:01 a.m.

For venues in the Restrictions Exemption Program:

Maximum table capacity of 10 people in restaurants, pubs and bars. No mingling between tables.
No interactive activities at restaurants, pubs and bars (e.g., dancing, darts and billiards).
Restaurants, pubs and bars must stop liquor service at 11 p.m., and close at 12:30 a.m.

Restrictions continue for both indoor and outdoor social gatherings, weddings, funerals, places of worship and businesses. Masking remains mandatory in all indoor public spaces, including in facilities participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program.

September 20, 2021 - 4:00 p.m.

On September 15, 2021, government declared a state of public health emergency and introduced new temporary health measures to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, increase vaccination rates and expand capacity of the health-care system. All restrictions are province-wide.

Masking and physical distancing are mandatory in all indoor public spaces and workplaces. Employees must mask in all indoor work settings, except while alone in work stations.

Effective September 20, 2021:

Some businesses are eligible to participate in the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP). Participating in the REP permits in-scope businesses, entities and organizers to operate without most public health restrictions as outlined in Order 43-2021. Masks are still mandatory indoors.

Detailed information about the REP is available at: COVID-19 public health actions | Alberta.ca

Municipalities may have additional requirements set out through bylaw. Please follow all restrictions that your municipality may have in place.

City of Calgary

Retail cannabis and liquor stores – Not eligible to participate in the REP
Must comply to the following mandatory public health measures:

Capacity restricted to 1/3 fire code occupancy.
Masking and physical distancing must be in place.
Attendees must be with household members only, or 2 close contacts if they live alone.

Restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and nightclubs – Eligible to participate in the REP
Restaurants, lounges and cafés that have Class A licences that implement the REP will be permitted to resume normal operations, including the resumption of liquor service until the end time on their licence.

Patrons must wear a mask while standing or moving around, but they can remove it to eat or drink while seated.
If a bar or nightclub has a dance floor and utilizes the REP, patrons can dance with masks and no physical distancing.
Entertainment is permitted when implementing the REP

Organizations not participating in REP must comply to the following public health measures:

Indoor dining is not permitted.
Outdoor dining only with a maximum of 6 people per table (one household or 2 close contacts for those living alone)
Liquor sales and consumption restrictions apply (sales end at 10pm, consumption by 11pm).

Casinos, bingo halls, racing entertainment centres (REC) – Eligible to participate in the REP
Casinos, bingo halls and RECs that implement the REP can operate as per normal, with some restrictions.

Patrons must wear a mask while standing, moving around or at the table, but they can remove it to eat or drink while seated standing but not moving.
Restaurants, lounges and cafés that have Class A licences within gaming facilities that implement the REP will be permitted to resume normal operations, including the resumption of liquor service until the end time on their licence. Patrons must be masked when they are not eating or drinking.

Organizations not participating in REP must comply with the following public health measures:

Capacity will be restricted to 1/3 fire code occupancy.
Attendees must be with household members only, or two close contacts if they live alone.
Ensure physical distancing of 2 metres between persons who are not part of the same cohort. Alternatively, partitions can be used to protect patrons and staff where it is safe and makes sense to do so.
Casinos that chose not to implement the REP cannot serve food, liquor or any beverages. However, they can choose to apply the REP at their restaurants, which would be able to operate as indicated above.
Bingo halls that choose not to implement the REP cannot serve food or liquor.

VLT retailers – Eligible to participate in the REP
VLT retailers who choose to participate in the REP may operate as per normal, with some restrictions.

Patrons must wear a mask while standing or moving around, but they can remove it to eat or drink while seated or standing by not moving.
Restaurants, lounges and cafés that have Class A licences that implement the REP will be permitted to resume normal operations, including the resumption of liquor service until the end time on their licence.

Organizations not participating in REP must comply with the following public health measures:

Capacity will be restricted to 1/3 fire code occupancy.
Attendees must be with household members only, or two close contacts if they live alone.
Ensure physical distancing of 2 metres between persons who are not part of the same cohort. Alternatively, partitions can be used to protect patrons and staff where it is safe and makes sense to do so.
Prohibited from serving food, liquor, or beverages.

Indoor and outdoor public events – Host public facility is eligible to participate in REP

Indoor wedding ceremonies are permitted with up to 50 people or 50% of fire code occupancy, whichever is less.
Indoor wedding receptions are prohibited, unless the hosting facility implements the REP.
Outdoor ceremonies, services and receptions are permitted with up to 200 people and must follow liquor sales and consumption restrictions (sales end at 10pm, consumption by 11pm), unless the hosting facility implements the REP.
All events in private dwellings are not eligible for the REP.

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

September 4, 2021 - 4:00 p.m.

On September 3, 2021, government announced temporary health measures to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and prevent the health-care system from being overwhelmed.

Effective September 4, 2021:

Restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes are required to cease liquor sales by 10 p.m. Premises may remain open, however no liquor service may be provided as per public health orders.
Licensed establishments may continue to provide food and liquor pickup and delivery service after 10 p.m. – up to the end time on their licence. This is for off-premises liquor consumption only.
A mandatory provincewide indoor masking requirement is in effect. This applies to locations where a business or entity operates and is applicable to employees, visitors and the general public.
Albertans are encouraged to limit in-person contacts and unvaccinated Albertans are strongly recommended to limit indoor social gatherings to close contacts of only two cohort families up to a maximum of 10 people.

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

June 30, 2021 - 8:00 a.m.

Starting July 1, 2021, Alberta will enter Stage 3 in Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan:

All restrictions lifted, including ban on indoor social gatherings.
Isolation requirements for confirmed cases of COVID-19 and some protective measures in continuing care settings remain.
The general indoor provincial mask mandate will be lifted, but masking may still be required in limited and specific settings.

All gaming venues, licensed premises, and cannabis and liquor retailers may lift restrictions on masking, capacity and distancing at their discretion.*
*Please follow restrictions that your municipality may have in place.

June 10, 2021 - 1:00 p.m.

Effective June 10, 2021, Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan enters Stage 2, as per the current public health order. Gaming, liquor and cannabis licensees should take note of updated operational criteria including hours of operation, allowable activities and the collection of contact information requirements.

Effective June 10, 2021, under Stage 2:

Class A or C liquor licensed establishments:

Indoor and outdoor dining is permitted.
Up to a maximum of six people per table; different households can dine together but must stay 2 metres apart.
Restaurants, cafes and pubs must collect the contact information of one person from the dining party.
Tables and dining parties must be 2 metres apart or separated by an impermeable barrier that will prevent droplet transmission.
Individuals must stay seated with their dining party unless using the washroom, paying or entering/exiting the facility. Masks must be worn indoors when not at your table.
Class A or C liquor licensees, including but not limited to restaurants, bars, lounges, pubs, cafes, legions or private clubs are prohibited from: serving liquor after 11 p.m., and providing food and beverage services or allowing persons to remain seated to consume food or beverages after 12 a.m.
Class A and C licensees may still continue to provide pickup and delivery services after 12 a.m. – up to the end time on their licence.
VLTs are permitted. Patrons must remain seated and must mask when indoors and not at their table.
No other forms of entertainment are permitted (e.g., pool tables, live music, etc.).
Dinner theatres are permitted at 1/3 capacity.
Nightclubs must remain closed until Stage 3.

Gaming licensed venues:

Indoor settings may open with up to one-third of fire code occupancy, including casinos, gaming and racing entertainment centres and bingo halls.
VLTs are permitted. Patrons must remain seated and must mask when indoors and not at their table.

Liquor and cannabis licensed retail locations:

Retail capacity increases to one-third of fire code occupancy.

Indoor and outdoor public events:

Indoor and outdoor wedding ceremonies may occur with up to 20 attendees. Receptions are permitted outdoors.
Indoor and outdoor funeral services remain unchanged with up to 20 people permitted. Receptions are permitted outdoors.
Outdoor public gatherings (such as concerts and festivals) are permitted with up to 150 people.
Outdoor fixed seating facilities (such as grandstands) are limited to 1/3 of their total seated capacity.
Masks must be worn indoors (going inside for snacks or to the washroom).

Government will be providing further details for Stage 2 soon. AGLC encourages licenses to continue checking alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx for updates and protocols required under this Stage. All relevant details will be posted under Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan.

May 31, 2021 - 2:00 p.m.

On May 31, 2021, the Government of Alberta updated guidelines for businesses preparing for Stage 1 of Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan, as per the current public health order. Liquor licensees should take note of updated operational criteria including hours of operation, allowable activities and the collection of contact information requirements.

Effective June 1, 2021:

Restaurants, cafes and pubs must collect the contact information of one person from the dining party.
Up to a maximum of four people per table from same household or a maximum of three people per table for people living alone and two close contacts.
Class A or C liquor licensees, including but not limited to restaurants, bars, lounges, pubs, cafes, legions or private clubs are prohibited from:
- serving liquor after 10 p.m., and
- providing food and beverage services or allowing persons to remain seated to consume food or beverages after 11 p.m.
Class A and C licensees may still continue to provide pickup and delivery services after 11 p.m. – up to the end time on their licence.
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 until further notice.

May 27, 2021 - 2:00 p.m.

On May 26, 2021, the Alberta government announced the province’s Open for Summer Plan, a three-stage road map to lifting health restrictions and safely getting back to normal.

On June 1, unless otherwise stated, Alberta will move to Stage 1. Starting then, retail services, including liquor and cannabis stores, may remain open with customer capacity limited to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy.

This includes individual stores and common areas.
Curbside pickup, delivery and online services are encouraged, as permitted by AGLC policy and regulations.

Beginning at the same time, dining on outdoor patios can reopen at all restaurants, lounges and cafés.

Up to a maximum of four people per table; individuals must be from same household or the two close contacts for people living alone.
Restaurants, lounges and cafés pubs must collect the contact information of one person from the dining party.
Tables and dining parties must be two metres apart or separated by an impermeable barrier that will prevent droplet transmission.
No entertainment allowed (e.g., no VLTs, pool tables, live music, etc.)
Takeout, curbside pickup and delivery services are 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.

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

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.

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).

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.

For previous updates, please visit Archived Updates.

Urgent

COVID-19 information for Albertans

COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) Information

Status in Alberta

Resources

AGLC Updates

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