Alberta masking rules end March 1, Edmonton maintains face-covering bylaw

As Albertans prepare for the lifting of nearly all provincial health measures on Tuesday, Edmontonians will still have to abide by the city's face covering bylaw.

As Albertans prepare for the lifting of nearly all provincial health measures on Tuesday, Edmontonians will still have to abide by the city's face covering bylaw.

On Saturday, Premier Jason Kenney announced the province would move ahead to Step 2 of the reopening plan, saying pressure on the health-care system is easing and that "the worst of COVID-19 is behind us."

Step 2 will see the removal of indoor and outdoor social gathering limits, work-from-home requirements, liquor service rules at restaurants and bars, and capacity limits at larger venues.

Edmonton's maks bylaw, enacted in August, stipulates two triggers that have to happen for council to have a vote on rescinding it, including that the city's active COVID-19 case count has to drop below 100 cases per 100,000 residents for 28 straight days.

Despite limited access to testing, current numbers are about three times that threshold. 

The second trigger is that the province has to rescind its masking regulations. Council may amend the triggers at any time. 

City Manager Andre Corbould said in a statement to CTV News Edmonton that the bylaw continues to be in effect until further action by council. The bylaw requires people two years and older to wear a face covering in indoor public spaces and while on public transit.