Premier Jason Kenney under pressure to further tighten COVID-19 restrictions

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is under pressure to further tighten COVID-19 restrictions.

The province reported 2,433 cases on Sunday – the third straight day of more than 2,000 COVID-19 infections. There are 646 people in hospitals, including 152 in intensive care.

The premier has moved students in COVID-19 hot spots to at-home learning and banned indoor fitness and sports, but says he’ll consider regional curfews if numbers go higher.

He also suspended the spring sitting of the legislature, saying it’s needed to prevent further spread of the virus.

The move prompted Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley is accusing Kenney of abandoning his post, deserting Albertans and letting others put themselves at risk on the front lines.

We were fully prepared to go into #ableg
We had questions planned for Question Period on the triage protocol in Alberta hospitals, on school safety, on how exactly restaurant staff are expected to enforce this Premier’s cosmetic rules.
And so much more. 1/3 #ableg #abhealth pic.twitter.com/ZoP9CCiYFh

— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) May 3, 2021

Kenney’s decision comes as Alberta’s hospital system is bracing for a surge of patients over the next few weeks.