In Friday’s (Sept. 11) COVID update Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced that singing, more specifically singing in organized settings would be more attainable. 

Hinshaw says they released an updated regulation on singing in choirs and other organized events that would allow for singing with masks and other specific regulations. 

"These are activities that many Albertans have sorely missed, the arts play an important part in schools and our emotional well-being and the restrictions have been hard for many.  We had originally severely limited indoor singing and use of wind instruments as there was some evidence that they may pose some unique risk in the transmission of COVID-19. After reviewing the spread of the virus, we have seen evidence that these activities can be done safely if proper regulations are in place." 

Hinshaw says they have since updated their approach to allow for these activities to be safe. 

Choirs may begin again with maximum size limits and masking while singing, however, audience singing is still not allowed and congregational singing in faith settings is still discouraged.  This is because it is easier to assure all guidance is rigorously and regularly applied in smaller groups while singing in larger groups without these measures could lead to transmission events. 

Hinshaw says gathering limits have not changed and dance floors are still not allowed within these activities.