Press conference begins now. Premier Kenney is of course joining the proceedings from afar due to his COVID-19 self-isolation. Ministers Shandro and Schweitzer also hear as well as airline reps.https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1319308768371306501 …
-
-
If they test negative, they can leave isolation if they also get a negative test six or seven days later. This means the isolation may only take up to a week for some travellers. This will be in place for YYC airport and the Coutts land border crossing. Edmonton maybe later.
Show this thread -
Also announcing a new testing option for travellers leaving Alberta. Starting Monday, those leaving for essential travel can get a fee for service test ($150) with results within 72 hours of arrival time.
Show this thread -
In terms of the reduced quarantine period, Kenney says they are moving away from regular asymptomatic testing for people with no known exposure, as it will speed up processing times. Initial result for travellers should come in 48 hours, and then another test 6 or 7 days later
Show this thread -
Kenney says he has been pushing for something like this for months. Hopes this can provide some hope to the travel industry.
Show this thread -
Schweitzer now speaking. Bit of a funny back and forth as the Minister thinks Kenney said his COVID test was positive (I didn't catch that), Kenney says he is *feeling* positive and the test was "negative, negative, negative."
Show this thread -
Schweitzer says this can hopefully entice more people to travel here, drastically cuts down on the travel time.
Show this thread -
Health Minister Shandro is now up. Says they are focused on protecting public health, and this move is supported by strong evidence. Still need continual ways to protect people, but this is a controlled way to figure out what the future can look like.
Show this thread -
Shandro talks a bit about private partnerships for testing (like the ones for departing travellers), and this can leave the public system open for the most important tests with speedy turnaround.
Show this thread -
Bob Sartor, CEO of YYC airport authority, now up. Says he has been waiting a long time for this type of announcement, and is happy this airport was selected for the trial. First airport in Canada doing this. Also, just got the press release here with more details.pic.twitter.com/hnKKnfutcQ
Show this thread -
Sartor hopes this can eventually be expanded around Canada and end the 14-day mandatory isolation period. Testing can spark more recovery.
Show this thread -
Now up is Ed Sims, CEO of Westjet. Says this announcement is the first piece of good news they've heard since the end of February, when bookings started falling by 95 per cent.
Show this thread -
-
Questions now, with
@sunrickbell up first. Asking the premier about a planned speech to the Legislature on an update to COVID-19, especially with increased case numbers. *long pause* Kenney was on mute for a short while. He chuckles.Show this thread -
Kenney says he was notified during QP yesterday about the COVID-19 case with Min. Allard so he wasn't able to give the speech yesterday. He says the central message again is to get Albertans to take this seriously as cases skyrocket.
Show this thread -
Kenney says Alberta has been very successful without extensive lockdowns, infection rates aren't that bad he says. "Personal and collective responsibility" quote once again. He says their primary goal is to prevent overwhelming the health care system, and they're still good.
Show this thread -
Reminder that there are over 2,000 acute care beds and 500 ICU beds devoted to COVID-19, and we're still not close to filling all those beds even now with record high numbers.
Show this thread -
Says we cannot shut down our lives again, "keep calm and carry on". Can't completely exclude the possibility of limited restrictions in a case-by-case basis, but if we do it, it will not be based on a hunch. Rather, it will be data.
Show this thread -
Other jurisdictions are "hammering the hospitality sector" by instituting more restrictions (such as with restaurants). Another lockdown would just shut down even more businesses, and he pushes back on the NDP saying more restrictions are needed.
Show this thread -
Kenney says only a small amount of cases right now can be linked to restaurants and pubs, and any future restrictions will be "limited, discrete" and very targeted.
Show this thread -
Next question from
@BillFortierCTV, on expanding this program to Edmonton. When exactly? Kenney says hopefully early in the new year and#YEG wants to be a part of it too. Start small with#YYC and Coutts first.Show this thread -
From
@KellyCryderman, on restrictions (voluntary vs. mandatory) and if this policy is just related to specific Alberta political culture? And would you ever cancel Halloween? Kenney says NO, he will NEVER cancel Halloween. (Ghouls rejoice)Show this thread -
Kenney says they aren't doing this based on politics, it is based on public health advice. The reality is that they have still done well with a less restrictive approach. It has morphed into a "broader" view on how to tackle this.
Show this thread -
That said, polling shows that Albertans are not really in favour of lockdowns and Kenney agrees with that sentiment. But COVID needs to be taken very seriously. However, the bad numbers like deaths and hospitalizations aren't that bad right now. 70% drop in case fatality.
Show this thread -
He says that is related to more testing, but also the virus seems less deadly now than in the spring. Could be related to better medical treatments and a smaller section of the vulnerable population being affected. Maybe the virus is morphing as well.
Show this thread -
Shandro adds their policies are not being dreamed up by politicians. They are still following the lead of experts like CMOH Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
Show this thread -
Kenney also stressing the importance of people to self-isolate and not spread this virus through the community.
Show this thread -
From
@reportrix, what was the timeline around Min. Allard's positive test (she did test positive earlier in the week before it became public). Kenney says he knew nothing until after QP yesterday. Allard waited until mid-afternoon yesterday to inform staffers.Show this thread -
Kenney says Allard started showing symptoms on Friday. Attended a presser with Kenney a day before that. Self-isolated on the weekend. Kenney says she tested positive yesterday though (I'll have to check if an earlier message indicated she tested positive on Monday)
Show this thread -
Okay my mistake, the release from yesterday said she tested positive yesterday. Still she did show symptoms Friday.https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1319048333642534912 …
Show this thread -
(I was just confused with the first line about her being in contact with a positive case last week)
Show this thread - Show replies
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.