COVID-19

June 14, 2022

COVID-19 Update

Alberta Health has announced that all remaining public health restrictions related to COVID-19 will be lifted at 11:59 pm on June 14, 2022. The following measures will be removed:

Mandatory isolation will become a recommendation only
Mandatory masking on public transit will be lifted

Masking and any other measures to protect patients in Alberta Health Services (AHS) and contracted health facilities will remain in place through AHS policy as required for infection prevention and control.

Chief Medical Officer of Health orders in continuing care will be rescinded by June 30 but some measures in continuing care settings will remain in place through standards and policy. This includes maintaining practices like isolation of symptomatic residents, outbreak protocols, and masking.

As a result of the lifting of all public health restrictions, the COA’s COVID-19 Guidelines are no longer in effect. Registrants should continue to refer to the COA Standards of Practice to guide the provision of safe and effective patient care.

March 1, 2022

COVID-19 Update

Alberta Health has announced it is entering into stage 2 of of the easing of public health measures.

The following measures will be updated:

Any remaining school requirements removed (for example: Kindergarten to grade 6 cohorting).
Youth screening activities for entertainment and sport activities removed.
Capacity on all large venues and entertainment venues lifted.
Indoor and outdoor social gathering limits lifted.
Mandatory work-from-home requirements lifted.
Provincial mask mandate will be lifted except in high-risk settings, including on public transit, at AHS-operated and contracted facilities, and all continuing care settings.

The COA’s Covid-19 Guideline s updated March 1, 2022 remain in effect.

January 12, 2022

COVID-19 Update

Alberta Health Services has prepared a guidance document for community health care providers. The document provides guidelines in the following areas:

Part A (pre-screening): for all community providers including pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, primary care providers, physiotherapy, etc.

Parts B (risk assessment), C (testing) and D (management): for all community providers whose scope of practice includes assessing and treating patients with respiratory symptoms.

September 16, 2021

COVID-19 Update

The Government of Alberta has announced a Public Health Emergency and put in place additional measures to reduce transmission of COVID-19. We have been notified by Alberta Health that no changes are required for health care professionals. Masking remains in effect for all indoor workplaces.

The COA’s current guidelines, last updated September 4, 2021, therefore remain in effect. However, we strongly recommend that all registered opticians also review the public health measures announced by the Government of Alberta and implement additional precautions. This may include:

Restricting capacity to 1/3 fire code occupancy
Re-implementing 2 metre physical distancing
Service by appointment only and/or additional screening to ensure patients attend with household members only (or 2 close contacts if they live alone)

September 4, 2021

COVID-19 Update

Temporary measures have been put into place by the Government of Alberta. A summary of the relevant measures are outlined below.

Effective September 4, 2021, masks are mandatory for all indoor public spaces and workplaces in Alberta.
In addition, Albertans are encouraged to limit in-person contacts.
It is also recommended that employers pause their plans to have staff return to work and instead continue with work-from-home measures. If employees are working on location, employees must mask for all indoor settings, except in work stations or where two-metre physical distancing or adequate physical barriers are in place.

Click here for the COA guidelines with key information for opticians. The temporary public health measures issued by the government supersede the COA guidelines until further notice.