End of Alberta’s work-from-home requirement inspires changes to traditional office spaces

Junior hockey: With mask mandate lifted, teams hoping to see increase in fans This is not the only place still requiring masks. Airports fall under federal mandates and Transport Canada regulations still state that everyone must have a mask or face covering during their journey.Kelowna International Airport director, Sam Samaddar, explains where masks must be worn.“As you enter and go through the pre-boarding screening, you will have to have a mask and really maintain that through boarding an aircraft and also on board the aircraft,” Samaddar said.Samaddar is concerned about travellers not following the rules, now that the provincial mask mandate has been lifted in most other indoor settings.

Edmonton’s transit system will get federal and provincial funding to make up for pandemic revenue shortfalls. Breanna Karstens-Smith reports.

COVID-19 pandemic on Friday.More than 4,000 Albertans have lost their lives to the disease since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.In the last 24 hours, 11 deaths were reported to Alberta Health. The province’s death toll from COVID-19 has now reached 4,003.The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 declined slightly overnight, to 1,045 people.

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington and Oregon will drop masking requirements for schools and most public places on March 12, the states jointly announced."With declining case rates and hospitalizations across the West, California, Oregon and Washington are moving together to update their masking guidance," the governors said in a statement. There are more than 7.5 million school-age children across the three states.The new guidance will make face coverings a recommendation rather than a requirement at most indoor places in California starting March 1 and at schools on March 12, regardless of vaccination status.

Ruby the K9, courtesy RISP There’s a K-9 dog in Rhode Island that has such a remarkable storied past, she’s inspired a Netflix movie.Ruby, an Australian shepherd and border collie mix, was adopted by Cpl. Daniel O'Neil in 2011, who was in need of a search-and-rescue dog for work, according to the Associated Press.At the time, the rambunctious eight-month-old pup had been adopted and returned to the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter by five families before she found her place with O'Neil.DEAF SHEEPDOG LEARNS SIGN LANGUAGE TO ROUND UP SHEEPShelter volunteer and dog trainer Patricia Inman recalls Ruby was full of energy and needed an advocate to reassure staff that euthanasia was not the right choice."[Ruby] was a total knucklehead," Inman told the Associated Press.

FILE - Official photo of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. (Office of the Governor of the state of Alabama) (Office of the Governor of the state of Alabama)MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama will become the latest state to allow people to carry concealed handguns without first undergoing a background check and getting a state permit.Alabama Gov.

Deltacron has now officially been declared a COVID-19 strain. Concerns about a mutation combining features of both the Delta and Omicron variants first arose earlier this year, following an investigation that took place in a Cyprus lab. Virologists in Paris have now confirmed its existence.

Waterloo Region District School Board has a meeting scheduled for Friday night to discuss the recent changes announced by the province with regard to COVID-19.The agenda for the meeting is unclear as the only item listed is “response to March 9, 2022, announcement from the chief medical officer of health.” Lifting of mask mandates in Ontario schools being met with mixed reaction Global News has reached out to the WRDSB for further details on the meeting.On Wednesday, the province announced it would be lifting the mandates for masks in schools on March 21, when students return from spring break. In addition, they would also lift cohorting and physical distancing requirements.“As we continue to ease public health measures, we are also working with the Ministry of Education to align measures in schools and child care with those in the community as much as possible,” said Dr.

NEW YORK (AP) - Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the world has seen a dramatic improvement in infections, hospitalizations and death rates in recent weeks, signaling the crisis appears to be winding down. But how will it end? Past epidemics may provide clues.The ends of epidemics are not as thoroughly researched as their beginnings. But there are recurring themes that could offer lessons for the months ahead, said Erica Charters of the University of Oxford, who studies the issue."One thing we have learned is it’s a long, drawn-out process" that includes different types of endings that may not all occur at the same time, she said.

B.C. health officials announced at Thursday’s COVID-19 briefing that they are changing its approach to vaccination in the extended healthcare system. Legislative bureau chief Keith Baldrey has more.

FILE IMAGE - Russian Army TOS-1A "Solntsepyok (Blazing Sun)" multiple rocket launcher and thermobaric weapon mounted on a T-72 tank. (Photo by Leonid Faerberg/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) NEW YORK - Russia has used a weapon in Ukraine capable of vaporizing human bodies and the UK Ministry of Defence says Russia has confirmed its use.Thermobaric weapons consist of a fuel container and two separate explosive charges, with the first detonating to disperse the fuel particles and the second igniting the dispersed fuel and oxygen in the air.It creates a blast wave of extreme pressure and heat that creates a partial vacuum in an enclosed space.

European and international airlines and airport bodies have called for an end to pandemic measures for European domestic flights as most countries begin to relax requirements to present proof of vaccination and wear masks.

Provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, announced Thursday a number of changes to current COVID-19 restrictions.

Lecce defends end date for Ontario school mask mandate amid calls for more time That resolution for all students was passed by the board just days after the province announced it would only require students from grades 4 to 12 to wear masks.The province then extended the order to include grades 1 through 3 in August 2021.On Wednesday, the Ontario government announced masking would no longer be required in schools as of March 21.In a statement on Thursday, Upper Grand said it “consulted with several parties to determine next steps and receive clarity” on whether it could still mandate masks in school.“Those consultations concluded that once the province lifts its masking requirements, the school board does not have the independent authority to prescribe public health measures in response to an infectious disease, such as COVID-19,” the board said.“Further, boards of trustees do not have the authority to impose restrictions that the Ministry has directed must be revoked.”Changes to the masking protocol will be on the agenda during a board meeting that had already been scheduled for March 22. Guelph’s top doc to lift own mask mandate put in place months before provincewide policy The board of trustees will have to follow the direction of the government and bring forward a motion to officially rescind the board resolution from August 2022.“We know that the topic of masks can be a divisive one,” director of education Peter Sovran and chair of the board of trustees Linda Busuttil said in a joint statement.“We want to stress that students, staff and visitors are still welcome to wear masks in our schools, and this is their choice.

B.C. health officials announced Thursday that the province will remove its order requiring masks in all indoor public spaces as of 12:01 a.m. Friday, and that the proof of COVID-19 vaccination requirement will be potentially lifted on April 8.

FILE - An Official Rawlings Major League Baseball sits with a bat, lock and chain to represent the lockout between Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) on Dec. 2, 2021. Players have voted to accept Major League Baseball's latest offer for a new labor deal, paving the way to end a 99-day lockout and salvage a 162-game regular season.The union’s executive board approved the agreement in a 26-12 vote, pending ratification by all players, a person familiar with the balloting said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement was authorized.MLB sent the players an offer Thursday and gave them until 3 p.m.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a joint news conference with Poland’s President Andrzej Duda in Warsaw on Thursday. “(Russian President Vladimir Putin needs to know that the consequences for his actions, already, will be severe.

Vladimir Putin will “lose” in his war against Ukraine, Justin Trudeau said Thursday as Canada chipped in more funding for humanitarian efforts in the conflict.

WARSAW, Poland - U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday embraced calls for an international war crimes investigation of Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, citing the "atrocities" of bombing civilians, including a maternity hospital.Speaking alongside Polish President Andrzej Duda at a press conference in Warsaw, where she is demonstrating U.S.

time may stand still for Geddy Lee and his bandmates, the rest of us will have to rush to our clocks to turn them an hour ahead on Sunday morning.It will mark the shortest day of the year as many Canadians will set their clocks ahead by an hour as most of the country moves to daylight time.The clocks will then fall back on Nov. 6 as we return to standard time.It is a rite of passage that began in Canada in 1908 in two small Ontario towns, Port Arthur and Fort William, which have since merged to form the city of Thunder Bay.

PHILADELPHIA - A man is in critical condition after an apparent shootout between two men in Kingsessing late Wednesday night. The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on the 5500 block of Greenway Avenue. Police say a 37-year-old man was arriving home when he spotted a suspicious 44-year-old man walking down the steps of his property. The two men were then engaged in a confrontation that escalated to gunfire, with both men firing shots at each other. MORE HEADLINES: The 44-year-old man later showed up at Frankford Hospital with gunshot wounds to the shoulder and foot.

The Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust said on March 9 that its Endurance22 Expedition had located the wreck of Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance, which has not been seen since it was crushed by the ice and sank in the Weddell Sea in 1915.

PHILADELPHIA - A viewing was held Wednesday night for a 12-year-old boy who investigators say was shot and killed by a Philadelphia police officer after their car was fired on. Family and loved ones of Thomas Siderio gathered at Lighthouse Baptist Church on South Broad Street to mourn his death that happened a week ago in South Philadelphia.Investigators say four plain-clothed officers assigned to the South Task Force were in the area in an unmarked car as part of an ongoing investigation.Authorities have said the officers saw Siderio and a 17-year-old boy on the corner of 18th and Barbara and recognized one of them as someone wanted for questioning in another investigation.Police say the officers were approaching the boys and activated their emergency lights when they heard gunfire and a bullet shattered the rear passenger window and came to a stop in the passenger headrest. An officer in the back seat suffered injuries from the shattered glass to his face and eyes.

Officials in B.C. are expected to make a significant announcement Thursday.

WASHINGTON (AP) - With gas prices at record highs across the U.S., an increasing number of governors and state lawmakers are calling for the suspension of gas taxes to provide relief to motorists who are facing the prospect of even higher pump prices as the country cuts off Russian oil imports.Proposals for a "gas tax holiday" to counter inflation had been moving slowly in Congress and state capitols before Russia invaded Ukraine, but they have gained momentum this week amid surging prices that averaged $4.25 a gallon on Wednesday, according to AAA.Republican legislative leaders in Michigan and Pennsylvania announced proposals Wednesday to suspend or reduce state gas taxes. That came after the Republican governor of Georgia and Democratic governor of California both called for relief from state gas taxes Tuesday, when President Joe Biden ordered a ban on Russian oil imports.Meanwhile, the Democratic governors of Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin sent a joint letter to congressional leaders urging them to support legislation suspending the federal government's 18.4-cent-a-gallon gas tax through 2022.Critics of the proposals say there is no guarantee the savings would get passed on to consumers and worry that suspending gas taxes could hurt funding for road projects.

Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver faced a tough crowd in Edmonton Wednesday, when he spoke to the Alberta Municipalities spring caucus one day after introducing Bill 4 — legislation to limit their authority to impose COVID-19 mask and proof of vaccine rules. Tom Vernon reports.

Award-winning Toronto filmmaker, Domee Shi is blazing the trail in the world of animation. The Chinese-Canadian’s latest film, ‘Turning Red’ is already generating plenty of buzz–and on the heels of the film’s Toronto premier, Shi returned to her roots to inspire the next generation of animators.

COVID-19 hospitalization numbers continued to slowly decline Wednesday with 1,087 people in hospital with the virus.Of that number, 78 people were receiving care in the ICU.That’s compared to 1,106 people with COVID-19 in hospital — with 77 in the ICU — on Tuesday. Alberta municipalities will need province’s OK for face mask or COVID-19 vaccine passport bylaws Over the past 24 hours, seven additional COVID-19 deaths have been reported to the province, bringing Alberta’s pandemic death toll to 3,986.During the same time frame, the province identified 552 new lab-confirmed cases from 3,069 tests.

Ontario is about to make some major changes with its approach to the pandemic. The biggest changes you will notice – will be the dropping of mask mandates in most settings.

Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) says people can expect to be required to continue to wear masks in hospital settings “for some time,” despite the announcement that the mandate will be lifted in most public spaces across the provinceIn a statement issued Wednesday, OHA president and CEO Anthony Dale said this is a “patient safety measure.”Dale said hospitals in Ontario will be “adopting and implementing certain protective measures, including requirements related to personal protective equipment and health care worker vaccination, into their own health and safety policies and procedures.” Ontario lifts mask mandate in most settings March 21, all directives to drop by April 27 The statement comes after the province announced it would be lifting the COVID-19 mask mandate in many indoor public settings beginning March 21.According to the province, while masking requirements will be removed “in most places” later this month, the mandate will remain in place in some settings, including on public transit, in long-term care facilities in retirement homes and other health-care settings, in congregate care settings, in shelters and in jails.The province’s plan says masking requirements in “all remaining settings” will be removed on April 27.However, the plan released by the Ford government on Wednesday said that as directives are revoked, “individual organizations will continue to have the authority to keep requirements in place.”In the statement Wednesday, Dale said hospitals are “committed to protecting patients, staff and visitors, and ensuring safety is a top priority.”“The hospital sector routinely establishes policies and requirements regarding infection prevention and control, personal protective equipment, and

COVID-19-positive or are experiencing symptoms.Officials said the new guidance comes into effect on Wednesday.For non-household contacts, no isolation is required. However, for 10 days after exposure these contacts should self-monitor for symptoms, wear a mask, not visit anyone with a high risk of illness and not attend or work in a high-risk setting.

Bensalem Township police say officers seized 26 pounds of drugs and several other items.  BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Police have made an arrest after seizing about $70,000 worth of drugs from a Bensalem Township home. According to police, a search warrant was executed at 104 B Konefal Street. Authorities say 26 pounds of marijuana, THC, Psilocybin edibles, and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking were discovered. RELATED: Bensalem Township man hid in NH woman's attic, took photos of her sleepingAdditionally, $21,000 worth of cash, a Yamaha motorcycle and a Rolex were also discovered, according to police. The estimated street value of the drugs is more than $70,000, police say. Police arrested 37-year-old Clinton Douglas and charged him with possession with intent to deliver and other related charges. 37-year-old Clinton Douglas has been charged with posession with intent to deliver and related charges.  MORE LOCAL HEADLINES ___DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APPSUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTubeAdvertisementFOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

With the ending of the Pandemic Unemployment Payments (PUP) on 25 February 2022, plus the Employers Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) later this year, there will be unfortunately and inevitably businesses closing down and redundancies arising.

Eight months after the town of Lytton was ravaged by wildfire, work finally got underway on debris cleanup and demolition, the first phase in rebuilding. Emad Agahi reports.

COVID-19 mask mandate in the U.S. will be lifted by March 26, Hawaii Gov. David Ige announced Tuesday.No states will require masks indoors after 11:59 p.m.

Health Minister Jason Copping announces he has directed Alberta Health Services to lift its COVID-19 vaccination mandate for staff on March 10, five days earlier than a draft directive leaked last week indicated.

It’s been exactly two years since Alberta’s first confirmed case of COVID-19, Alberta chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said while looking back at how the pandemic played out and where the province goes from here.

Starting March 14, Health Minister Jason Copping said Alberta youth between the ages of 12 and 17 will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as long as their second jab was at least five months ago.

Adult COVID-19 survivors—even those with mild illness—who underwent scans showed changes in brain structure beyond that expected from normal aging, including in areas tied to smell and memory, according to a UK study published yesterday in Nature.

Image of an iHealth at home Covid-19 rapid antigen test supplied for free by the U.S. Postal Service.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw says an officer violated the department’s use of force directive in the shooting that left 12-year-old Thomas Siderio dead near 18th and Barbara streets last week. That officer - who has only been identified by police as ‘Officer #1’ due to threats - will be suspended for 30 days with intent to dismiss, Outlaw announced during a briefing Tuesday afternoon. "I have made the decision to utilize Commissioner’s Direct Action to suspend Officer #1 with the intent to dismiss the officer at the end of 30 days due to violations of our use of force directive," Outlaw said. Investigators say four plain-clothed officers assigned to the South Task Force were in the area in an unmarked car as part of an ongoing investigation.Authorities have said the officers saw Siderio and a 17-year-old boy on the corner of 18th and Barbara and recognized one of them as someone wanted for questioning in another investigation. Thomas 'TJ" Siderio, 12, died Tuesday after he was shot by police. Police say the officers opened fire after their unmarked vehicle as struck by gunfire.

A box of human heads was stolen from medical researchers in Denver, Colorado, after a training event and remains missing, the donor company and authorities said this week. The theft occurred sometime between 2:30 p.m. local time on March 2 and 9:30 a.m.

A Grenfell Tower Inquiry chief has been appointed as the new boss of the NHS in Greater Manchester - as the health service undergoes sweeping changes.

COVID-19 Tuesday afternoon.Jason Copping and Dr. Deena Hinshaw are scheduled to speak at 3:30 p.m.

For many Canadians, a trip to the grocery store has become a daunting task. With Food prices continuing to rise, many are concerned about how they’ll be able to afford their essentials. Sharmeen Somani reports.

With COVID-19 mask mandates dropped across Saskatchewan, both individuals and businesses have a choice to wear one or not.

A Halifax realtor and group of home buyers are worried they won’t be able to move into their newly-built homes as planned. Their homes are far from completed and the buyers say the builder isn’t responding to their calls.