Wednesday marks one year since Alberta Premier Jason Kenney declared a state of health emergency in the province due to the novel coronavirus.
At the time, Alberta had 97 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Today, Alberta has recorded 139,143 total confirmed cases, according to Alberta Health Services.
The announcement of a health emergency in 2020 came with aggressive new measures including a decision to temporarily restrict Albertans from attending bars and nightclubs, effectively cancelling many St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The province also shuttered things like movie theatres, fitness facilities and rec centres, casinos, museums and art galleries.
What can you do in Alberta on St. Patrick’s Day 2021?
Albertans are still limited in what they can do to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, but you will be able to visit restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes, with some restrictions.
Current COVID-19 health restrictions include a limit of six people per table and individuals must be from the same household — or, for people living alone, their two close contacts.
In addition, contact information must be collected from one person at the dining party.
Liquor service at restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes has to end at 10 p.m. and in-person dining must stop by 11 p.m.
Lastly, current health restrictions mean no live music is allowed — or VLTs or pool tables.
If you were planning to host a party at your home, the luck of the Irish isn’t on your side; all indoor social gatherings are prohibited.
Outdoor social gatherings can have up to 10 people.
During her update on Wednesday, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health urged St. Patrick’s Day revellers to follow physical distancing and other anti-pandemic guidelines.
“This is not the year for gathering indoors with friends on St. Patrick’s Day. In fact, it is against the rules,” Dr. Deena Hinshaw said.
“Instead of crowding into a local bar or someone’s house with friends or coworkers today, I ask you to respect and follow the restrictions in place and celebrate in a safe, distanced way to help prevent the spread of the virus.”
“We know COVID loves a party, especially ones inside where people mix and mingle in close proximity to each other.”
Entertainment businesses throughout the province are closed due to COVID-19, including casinos, bowling alleys, pool halls, art galleries and museums, science centres, children’s play centres and movie theatres.
One year later, nightclubs remain closed.
As of Tuesday, the provincial government was reporting 4,776 active cases of COVID-19 in Alberta. In total, 260 people are being cared for in hospital, including 44 people in intensive care.
Provincially, 1,952 deaths have been recorded.
Calgary brewery celebrates ‘light at the end of the tunnel’
As Albertans enjoy what some have dubbed “St. Patrick’s Day light,” there’s no shortage of people who work in the province’s hospitality industry that are grateful for the Irish celebration.
In Calgary, Tool Shed Brewing Company co-founder Graham Sherman said St. Patrick’s Day 2020 was a tough one.
“Last year was almost a death sentence for us,” Sherman said. “it’s a tough thing when all of your customers shut down overnight.”
“We service about 1,000 locations all across western Canada and the majority of them – bars, pubs and restaurants — that all shut down in a moment.”
He said this year, the brewery is excited to be serving up some Irish-themed drinks as they know they will draw plenty of customers on what is traditionally a “massive” day for the industry.
“Whether people want to drink green beer or they want to drink a Guinness – we have our own version of Guinness,” Sherman added. “People want to get out and celebrate. It’s one of the greatest celebrations of the year for people who own a pub or a restaurant or a brewery.
“I went and bought a slushie machine, so for St. Patrick’s Day this year’s we’re doing lime slush in some of our beers but also one of our new kitchen staff came up with the idea of Irish whiskey slush on top of a stout.”
Sherman said he sees St. Patrick’s Day 2021 as a turning point of sorts.
“This year’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s almost like there’s light at the end of the tunnel, we see the world is turning back on again.”
“I think this is the first celebration where we really get to think about getting back to our favourite pubs, our favourite restaurants, our favourite breweries — it’s more than ‘St. Patrick’s Day light.’”
Although the mood at the brewery will be festive, Sherman said they are still taking current COVID-19 restrictions very seriously.
“There’s a balance point of making sure you’re very safe for the customers that want to come — but also keeping in mind that mental health of everybody that’s so eager to put this year behind them.
“We talk daily in our meetings with our staff about how do we keep properly distanced, how do we sanitize. We work really closely with AHS to open this place in a very safe manner.”
“The staff are pretty well-versed in how to get the barriers up and keep people socially distanced and safe so they can (have) a pint this St. Patrick’s Day.”
When asked how busy he thought they’d be, Sherman simply said, “it’s going to be madness.”
– With files from Heather Yourex-West, Global News and Kirby Bourne, 630 CHED