It’s a big day for many Alberta businesses as they prepare to invite customers back inside after several months of locked doors, shuttered windows and calls sent to voicemail, due to COVID-19 health restrictions. “The last few months, there’s been an opportunity to assess whether or not there’s been transmission in casino environments here, and also to look at other jurisdictions where casinos have opened with table games as a part of their process. The ADA is setting up a volunteer support system for those in the dance community who are most vulnerable. Thank you to the 80+ respondents representing their own practice and that of organizations, who gave their time and perspectives on the outlook at this time. These data will support arguments we will make on behalf of our community to Alberta’s Ministry of Culture, Multiculturalism, and Status of Women, and other stakeholders who play a part in our move toward recovery. The ADA and other provincial service organizations are working with the Canadian Dance Assembly in monitoring the impacts of the dance community. We are reporting impacts for the dance community, speaking to the immediate financial needs of organizations and self-employed dance artists and the emotional issues that are arising. In addition, the ADA is working with the provincial supports – Alberta Partners for Arts and Culture to support Arts, Culture and Heritage.

An additional 200 employees are expected to return to work at the River Cree Friday, after six months away. In order to contain the cases of the unprecedented situation last year, casinos in Alberta were required to close down on December 13. Ever since then in-person has been suspended and just now patrons are welcomed back. However, the properties will be operating under very strict health and safety protocols in order to protect both visitors and staff members. Following the provincially mandated closure in April of last year, both Casino Nova Scotia properties in Halifax and Sydney will re-open today. A reduction in gaming capacity, as well as food and beverage services, is in place to comply with current limitations. Movie theatres, casinos, cinemas, museums, galleries and libraries are free to open at 30 per cent of fire code capacity. Restaurants are welcoming customers for indoor dining for the first time since early April, with a maximum of six people per table. Alberta Health updated its guidance for casinos Thursday morning to include the safe operation of table games. Charitable casino events were able to resume once most casino facilities and table games reopened on June 10, 2021.

Stage 2 brings big changes

Kenney’s rural caucus has challenged both his health measures and, in the case of now-former UCP backbencher Todd Loewen, his leadership. The restrictions are based on more Albertans getting vaccinated and the number of patients in hospital with COVID-19 continuing to decline. A two-week lag is built in between stages to ensure the vaccines have time to take effect. When going into a theatre, for example, people must wear masks until they’re seated. The provincial mask mandate is lifted except in high-risk settings, including on public transit, AHS-operated and contracted facilities and all continuing care facilities. More information and guidance is available at COVID-19 public health actions

“We’ll see how this goes … I suspect there will be some reluctance for people to be out in public spaces and it will take some time to get things back to normal,” said Screech. The six municipalities that take a 10% share of casino revenues are also cautiously optimistic for a green light from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry for a July 1 opening of gambling establishments in the province. Gamblers could return to the slot machines and card tables in View Royal within a week as operators of Elements Casino hustle to rehire staff, prepare safety procedures and ramp up food and beverage ­services. Kenney emphasized that all of the renewed activities will have to be accompanied by proper physical distancing and other public health protocols. Our facilities continue to operate with the highest health & safety standards and will follow all public health officials’ guidelines to ensure that our facilities are clean, safe and healthy. There are a number of amenities for customers to enjoy on the spacious gaming floor including a wide variety of slot machines, the Replay Arena and table games . At the popular authentic Asian noodle restaurant, Chow Lucky Noodle Bar and at the Nova Bar, located on the gaming floor. The reopening of table games is also good news for people who deal cards, Mahajan said.