On April 6, the provincial government announced that Alberta is moving back to Step 1, effective April 7. Additional restrictions for restaurants take effect April 9 at noon. Step 1 restrictions will remain in place until further notice. Read the full announcement at Stronger public health measures | Alberta.ca.

In an video update for April, Mayor Chalmers discusses the highest number of active local cases to date and makes two requests of Chestermere residents. Watch the video below or read the transcript for details. 

Transcript: 

Hello Chestermere, 

Today, sadly, I have troubling news. Just about a month ago, Chestermere had only 16 cases. Today, we have over 125 active cases, we have experienced our first death, three local schools have outbreaks, and the numbers to continue to rise. Across the province, we are starting to see over 1000 new cases every day and the more contagious variants are now making up more than 35% of all cases. 

We know that it has been a long, hard year. We know that many people have been very diligent. We know that many business owners and their families have made extraordinary sacrifices. 

But this fight is not over. 

With that in mind, we have two requests. 

Number one: Please stay the course with your efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. By now, it should not be news that you should limit social contacts, wash your hands regularly, wear a mask in public places and avoid indoor gatherings. But somehow, we have become lax, and the virus is spreading very quickly. Please stay the course. Don’t let your guard down. Be diligent, always. Get tested when you have symptoms. And follow all quarantine procedures. 

Please, continue to do your part to keep your community safe.  And, ask others to do so as well.  The highest increase in positive cases across the Province are those aged 20 to 35. By not following the simple COVID safe guidelines you put others at risk.  

And now for my second request: If you are eligible, please get vaccinated. Over 700,000 doses have been administered so far in Alberta, but we have a long way to go. As of today, Albertans who are born in 1963 or earlier and have underlying conditions now qualify to book their shot. Supply does vary, but please be patient and sign up as soon as you are able. Getting your vaccine is one more way you can protect yourself, and those you love. Visit www.alberta.ca/vaccine for all the details. 

While our case numbers are the highest they have ever been, I have every hope and confidence that: we can do this Chestermere. 

We have been effective in bringing our cases down in the past, and we can do it again. Today, I call on each resident of our community to renew their commitment to safety. 

And together, we can do it Chestermere. 

Thank you.