One ICU physician agrees that as COVID-19 variants spread in Alberta, now isn’t the time to loosen restrictions. “We have to stay where we are because the variants are taking over,” said Edmontonian Glenn Weagle. Some Edmontonians believe it is still too soon to be moving forward with Alberta’s reopening plan. “There’s a lot of livelihoods that are at stake here too so I’m really hopeful and I urge and request the government to let us open.” “The government’s always been about lives and livelihoods,” said Mahajan. That would allow casinos and theatres to reopen, in addition to easing restrictions on adult sports and indoor gatherings.

The Alberta government is set to decide if the province will enter Phase 3 on Monday. “If they (people) don’t comply with our mask policy, if they don’t comply with our gathering policy, we’ve asked them to leave the casino.” “It’s tough for us because I was very surprised to see us put in step three with all of the protocols and all of the investments that we’ve done to make the space or all of the casinos safe.”Īccording to Mahajan, there are rules on gatherings on the casino floor as well as barriers and sanitization stations. “We are the only industry that’s 100 per cent closed right now.”Ĭasinos across Alberta have been closed for more than three months now. “Every business is open in some capacity or the other, with some restrictions,” said Vik Mahajan, CEO of the River Cree Casino. Casinos are among many hoping to hit the jackpot as the Alberta government is set to decide if it will move into Phase 3 on Monday.

River city casino reopening