Alberta is taking action to protect Albertans against the highly transmissible Omicron variant by ramping up health system capacity, providing free rapid test kits, expanding vaccine boosters, clarifying indoor social gathering limits, and decreasing capacity in large venues.

Albertans are asked to reduce their number of contacts by half, limit unrestricted activities where there is a high risk of transmission, and observe all public health measures over the holidays to help slow the spread.

Businesses participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program can operate with less restrictions if they require patrons 12 and over to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test result. New measures come into effect December 24 at 12:01am.

Read Dr. Hinshaw's tips for celebrating safely this holiday season.

Youth (under 18) sport, fitness and performance activities

Indoor group classes, training, and competitions are permitted, but participants are required to:

• screen for symptoms
• maintain 2 metres distancing, except youth while engaged in physical activity
• wear a mask, except youth while engaged in physical activity
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Spectator attendance is restricted to 1/3 fire code capacity, attendees are limited to a single household or 2 close contact if living alone and must be masked and maintain 2 metres physical distancing.

Outdoor activities can continue with no restrictions.