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Groups representing businesses in Alberta say they could use more clarity from the provincial government on specifically what COVID numbers would trigger further restrictions or a lockdown. The Edmonton Chamber is calling for a "risk index." #ableg https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/tighter-restrictions-1.5797824
Here's some examples. Ontario has a colour-coded, five-stage system that ties specific restrictions on certain sectors by measures like positive test %, rate of new cases per 100,000 population, strain on health system, etc https://files.ontario.ca/moh-covid-19-response-framework-keeping-ontario-safe-and-open-en-2020-11-10.pdf
(Of course, there's a bit of a to-do about Ontario's system, which officials say was adopted without full proper consultation, as per the Star https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/11/11/ontario-rejected-its-own-public-health-agencys-advice-when-it-launched-its-colour-coded-plan-for-covid-19-restrictions.html?rf ) #ableg
Quebec has a progressive regional alert and intervention system that uses four, colour coded levels. The triggers appear more subjective in Quebec, but the consequences of each level are spelled out for several industries: https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/progressive-regional-alert-and-intervention-system/ #ableg
Manitoba has a "pandemic response system" with four stages. The whole province is entering the red, or critical stage today, due to their proportional number of cases https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/ #ableg Each phase lists limits on recreation, non-essential biz, churches etc
Adopting a risk index has been one of six steps the Alberta NDP has been calling for the Alberta government to adopt.
We've heard a couple of counter-arguments in response: #ableg
We've heard a couple of counter-arguments in response: #ableg
Health Min. Tyler Shandro has said, well, Alberta has a risk index: https://www.alberta.ca/maps/covid-19-status-map.htm They list each area as being in open, watch or enhanced measures status. These do have colours, but Shandro also said they didn't chose a red/green system because, colourblindness. #ableg
Alberta's system does have triggers: more than 10 cases per 100,000 = a watch, and more than 50 cases per municipality and/or 100,000 population = "enhanced measures." #ableg The difference is, the measures are different in every area. Many of them are also voluntary. #ableg
Shandro has said the government will not impose blanket restrictions on Alberta with a one-size-fits-all model. The idea is to discuss any restrictions with local authorities. #ableg Jobs/Economy Minister Doug Schweitzer said he hasn't heard businesses asking for an index. #ableg
But the president of Red Deer's chamber of commerce told me Alberta's system is confusing. The rules seem to keep changing. He likes how clear and concise Ontario's risk index is. #ableg
The issue, several business groups told me, is predictability. If restrictions and measures are determined after the fact, or regionally, how are they supposed to know from COVID case data how many staff to hire? How much stock to order? #ableg
