UCP leadership candidate hopeful Danielle Smith announced several policies to prevent lockdowns and what she calls "discriminatory" COVID-related measures..“If I become premier of Alberta, my government will permanently prohibit several COVID-related policy measures that have proven to do more harm than good to society, especially as it relates to children and young adults who have been severely, adversely impacted over these last two and-a-half years," Smith said.. Smith’s newly announced COVID-19-related policies include:.Keeping K-12 and post-secondary schools open for in-person learning;Prohibiting mandatory masking of K-12 and post-secondary students at school;Preventing post-secondary institutions from refusing admission or campus access based on a student’s vaccination status;No further shutdowns or restrictions on private businesses;Mandating non-enforcement of federal vaccine mandates by provincially regulated agencies and bodies;Amending the Human Rights Act to prevent employers from discriminating against or terminating an employee based on vaccination status; andProhibiting employers from requiring the vaccination and other health information of Albertans..More broadly as it relates to COVID health measures, Smith proposes a "common sense plan" for Alberta this fall..“As fall respiratory virus season approaches, we will focus our efforts and resources for protecting vulnerable and high risk populations, in particular our seniors in long term care, as well as those in hospital settings," Smith said.."For the general population, we will promote common sense policies and education that encourages Alberta workers and students to stay home when ill, protect the confidential doctor-patient relationship, ramp up hospital capacity and ensure vaccinations are made readily available for those who wish to voluntarily receive them.”
