Albertans need to prepare themselves for smaller Christmas celebrations, top doctor says

Albertans must begin preparing themselves for a non-traditional Christmas with smaller gatherings, says the province’s chief medical officer of health.

“With the calendar flipping to December today, I know many people across the province are starting to plan for the holiday season,” Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Tuesday at a news conference. “It’s been a long, hard year, and I know how important these holidays are to Albertans. But in a year that is anything but typical, how we celebrate won’t be typical either.”

 The province reported 10 more COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday and 1,307 new cases of the illness.

The total number of active cases was 16,628, an increase of 174 from the day before.

“We don’t yet know exactly what restrictions will be in place during the last week of December,” Hinshaw said. “Cabinet will make those decisions later on this month.

‘Celebrate safely’

Previous holidays have already led to increases in cases and outbreaks, she said, using Thanksgiving gatherings as an example of accelerated spread.

“Right now, I am encouraging Albertans to begin preparing for a much different holiday season, and to start thinking of creative ways to celebrate safely,” Hinshaw said.

“This is not going to be the year for in-person office parties. This is not going to be the year for open houses or large dinners with friends and extended family. If you are making holiday plans, it is best to assume that you will still be limiting contact with anyone outside your household as much as possible, and that any large get-togethers will likely need to be virtual.

“This will be the year for getting together remotely, or having small outdoor activities where everyone can keep their distance. Celebrating virtually, or with members of your own household, pose the lowest risk for spread.”