by Rhonda Scheurer
As of July 1st, the Province of Alberta is entering Stage 3 of COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines. In a nutshell they're removing all restrictions.
Effective July 1st, the COC will no longer be adding any restrictions and guidelines on top of the provincial restrictions and guidelines, but it is still the coordinator's right to add some restrictions and guidelines of their own. Our regular restrictions and guidelines, and our safety policy, still apply, of course.
We are cautiously optimistic and open for business.
Carpooling
Carpooling has always been a great component of the COC. We strive to make our carpool locations accessible by transit for attendees coming without a vehicle. We share the cost, reduce our environmental impact, take up less space in the parking lot, and take the opportunity to build community and friendships during this "bonus" time together.
With the removal of restrictions, we're hoping to start dipping our toes into some carpooling again. The COC will allow "normal" carpooling, where the coordinator "assigns" passengers to willing drivers. That doesn't mean, however, that things are just going to instantly spring back to normal. Some of us will be chomping at the bit for carpool, and some will be more cautious, imposing their own personal restrictions on their interactions. It is still early days, and everyone has the right to choose the level of risk they're willing to take at this stage.
At the event level, it is up to each coordinator if they wish to include carpool on their events. At the participant level, it is up to each driver to decide whether they're willing to take passengers, and under what circumstances.
We remain hopeful that the vaccine roll-out across the province will be a resounding success, and that opening everything back up does not cause another wave of infections. Time will tell, and as we all become more confident with social exposure, we're confident that we will start to see more and more carpooling return.
