Premier Smith Comments After Alberta Health Mandates Masking in Acute Care Facilities

Peter Lougheed Centre hospital staff wait to screen essential visitors who are the only visitors permitted in Alberta hospitals as part of COVID-19 precautions in Calgary, Alta., April 9, 2020. Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press

EDMONTON—Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says Alberta Health Services (AHS) has the autonomy to bring in mask mandates in acute care facilities, but says she is still committed to not bringing in “province-wide mask mandates.”

“I believe that if Albertans want to wear a mask, they should. AHS has announced their decision to implement a new masking protocol in AHS acute care facilities,” Ms. Smith said in a statement to The Epoch Times on Oct. 11.