December 9, 2020

On December 8, the Government of Alberta announced new COVID-related restrictions. Some restrictions come into effect immediately and others start at midnight, Saturday, December 12th. The restrictions are expected to be in place until at least January 12, 2021.

What does this mean for ACSLPA members?

  1. ACSLPA members can continue to provide services, including home and clinic-based services.

Members working in Public Education or Public Health sectors

    • ACSLPA members who work in school/classroom settings or in public health should continue to follow their sector guidance in addition to the ACSLPA advisory statement (see #2 below). In situations where guidance differs between an employer and ACSLPA, members must meet the ACSLPA guidance as a minimum.
    • Services provided to/within classrooms can continue in accordance with the guidance of school administration. If pulling children out of the classroom to provide more individualized treatment, one-on-one is encouraged.

Members working in Private Practice

    • Services must be by appointment only. Appointments should be limited to one-on-one services.
    • Group sessions should be deferred (unless permitted by guidance specific to their sector) and all appointments should be conducted on a one-to-one basis.
  1. Adherence to the ACSLPA Advisory Statement: Providing Services during a Pandemic is mandatory. Be sure to review this advisory again and ensure you are following the guidance it sets out. The October 2, 2020 version is still in effect.
  2. ACSLPA members must ensure that their service appointments are for the intended purpose only. Members must not allow appointments to become social interactions/visits. That is, provide your service then take leave as quickly as possible. Don’t linger to “visit” with your clients.
  3. The ACSLPA office is closed to visitors. ACSLPA staff will be primarily working from home offices. When calling, please leave a voicemail for the staff person and we will call you back as quickly as possible. Please note that phone calls to you will usually come from a “blocked caller” or “no caller ID”. Email remains a great way to connect with us.
  4. ACSLPA members can find further information about the enhanced restrictions on the Government of Alberta website ( https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx).

If you require practice supports, please contact ACSLPA’s SLP or Audiology Practice Advisors at s l p @ a c s l p a . c a or a u d i o l o g y @ a c s l p a . c a.