Alberta’s isolation period for COVID-19 cases drops from 10 days to 5
Global News
Health Minister Jason Copping said in the face of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, the move was based on evidence that fully immunized people have shorter infectious periods.
Effective Monday, people in Alberta with at least two doses of vaccine who test positive for COVID-19 will only need to isolate for five days instead of 10.
Health Minister Jason Copping announced the change last week in the face of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, saying it was based on evidence that fully immunized people have shorter infectious periods.
Symptoms must be fully resolved by the end of the five-day period, otherwise people must continue to isolate.
For five days after isolation, those people will be required to wear a mask around others at all times when in public.
Unvaccinated Albertans must continue to isolate for 10 days.
Copping says it will prevent disruptions in the workforce, especially for those who deliver important services.
He said discretionary exceptions could be made for workers whose absence causes “significant public health impact.” In those instances, additional health measures would be put into place, Copping said.
Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick and British Columbia have also reduced the self-isolation period to five days.