Good news for parents anxious to see their children return to in-person learning today (January 7).

Bad news for everyone hoping that recent lower numbers of COVID-19 in Alberta would mean mandatory health measures would be coming off.  

At the province's daily news conference on COVID-19 Premier Jason Kenney reappeared from his recent absence to say that all students would be returning to in-person learning, as planned, on Monday, January 11th.

Kenney said the decision was based on the latest evidence which shows that before the winter break, new case rates in schools plateaued and then dropped in December, once restrictions on social gatherings and group activities were in place.

At the same time, Kenney said that all Albertans, businesses, organizations, and service providers must continue to follow existing health measures until at least January 21st.  Active evaluation of the latest public health data is underway and will be used to re-evaluate the current level of restrictions over the coming weeks.

"In order to ensure we take into account the very real possibility of an increase in cases as a result of the holidays, and given the fact that our case numbers, hospitalizations and positivity rate for testing remains high, Alberta's current health measures will remain in effect for at least two more weeks, " Kenney said.

Business organizations and service providers will be given at least one week's notice prior to changes to the current health measures that may affect them.  The government will continue to consult with affected industries.

"We need some time to see if the testing stabilizes post-Christmas," explained Kenney.  "We need to see what impact the holidays had on testing and, of course, we also need to prioritize re-opening the schools and see what impact that may have."

During the press conference, Kenney again apologized to Albertans for an issue that has angered them.  Politicians and political staffers travelling abroad during the holidays.  

"I know that Albertans are angry because of the terrible judgment that many in government have shown and they are right to be angry.  I heard Albertans loud and clear.  After all of the terrible sacrifices that people have made for ten months, it was insulting for government leaders to holiday outside of the country. Albertans said they wanted there to be serious consequences.  I heard them, and there have been serious consequences."

"They were right to make that demand and that is why those responsible lost jobs, suffered demotions and we have changed our policies to ensure that elected officials, people in senior positions of public trust do not travel abroad during this pandemic unless it is for truly essential business reasons.  I don't foresee those circumstances."

However, Kenney said people's frustrations over the travel controversy can't stop the hard decisions that need to be made to protect public health. 

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