With the provincial COVID-19 total at 19 confirmed cases, the Province is adding some new rules for international travellers. 

They'll now require any travellers who have visited Italy in the last 14 days to self-isolate until two weeks have passed since their visit.

Individuals that have travelled to Iran or Hubei Province in China are also recommended to stay home and away from others, even if they are feeling well.

In addition, AHS says all travellers returning from anywhere outside Canada should be monitoring their health for 14 days after coming home.

These new travel restrictions and advisories have been put in place as five new cases across the province were confirmed on Wednesday March 11.

Alberta's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, says the WHO's recent classification of the virus to a pandemic means the Province needs to be serious about COVID's dangerous potential.

"This is an important designation, and one that reflects the seriousness of this virus. COVID-19 is not like other threats we have seen in the past few decades. It is more severe than seasonal influenza, and more contagious than viruses like SARS." Hinshaw says "It can be contained, as has been shown in other countries like Singapore, but it will take an effort of all of us to do so. This means we must continue preparing for the potential that our risk in Alberta will change."

All new cases still seem to be travel related says Hinshaw, but it's hard to detect where on their travels the new patients would have picked up the virus.

"These cases had recently returned from travel in a variety of countries, including Iran, Egypt, Spain, Washington State and Mexico. While we know where these individuals have travelled, it is too early to know the country or exact location where they actually contracted the virus."

Anyone with symptoms is still being asked to avoid heading to their doctors or a hospital for testing and treatment without speaking to a Health Link professional first. 

Hinshaw says the Province is working to address the wait times for those phoning 8-1-1.

"We are working hard to manage wait times on Health Link. While I know it can be frustrating to wait on the phone, this is the best way to receive assessment and follow-up testing, if needed."

She also adds this may be the time to seriously reconsider travel plans, especially if you're more at risk.

"We are also recommending at this time that anyone over the age of 65 and those with chronic health conditions not travel outside Canada, as the global risk is increasing rapidly and it is difficult to predict which travel destinations may put people at risk. Even Albertans who are not in these risk groups should think carefully about their travel plans, and the possibility they may be exposed to the virus while traveling."

While it may seem like panic is spreading, it's also important to verify information sources to help limit the spread of rumours says Hinshaw.

"Right now, I know many Albertans feel overwhelmed with the amount of information available in the news, online and in social media.I want to encourage all Albertans to access reliable information about what is happening, and do their part to stop the spread rumours and inaccurate speculation." She adds "COVID-19 is going to test our health system and emergency preparedness, but our system is preparing for that test. In the coming days and weeks, we will continue to implement aggressive public health measures to detect and isolate new cases."

Currently the Province will be updating their COVID Information web page twice daily with current and factual information, which can be found by clicking here.

AHS also has a dedicated web page which can be found here.