Alberta updates retail eligibility for proof of vaccination program

This past Thursday, in response to Alberta’s serious health crisis, the province announced a number of new province wide measures, including the reduction of retail capacity to 33% of fire code, effective Monday, September 20. 

This has not changed, and as of Monday, in addition to reminding customers about the mandatory mask requirement, stores will be expected to take steps to manage capacity to one-third of fire code capacity, or for smaller stores, a floor capacity of 5 customers as outlined in the primary Health Order.

However, this evening the government modified the types of businesses that could alternatively participate in the Restrictions Exemption Program, the option whereby businesses would have been able to limit public access to vaccinated customers only, and maintain their full operating capacity.  As a result, all types of retail, food courts, personal services among others are now ineligible.

To adhere to the Order, as of Monday stores across the province must operate at the new one-third maximum capacity. This amendment does not preclude a business from implementing a proof of vaccination requirement, as long as the new capacity requirements are maintained.