COVID-19

As public health restrictions in relation to COVID-19 ease in Alberta, ACSLPA has updated our guidance to members. The updated Advisory Statement is available here. We urge all regulated members to review the updated advisory statement, and to also familiarize themselves with any local municipal requirements in relation to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. The issue of masking, its importance in relation to disease prevention, and its potential impact on communication and communication interventions can be difficult to navigate. Given potentially competing demands, regulated members are urged to consider the issues from a number of perspectives, as outlined in the advisory statement, to [...]

ACSLPA’s Advisory Statement: Providing Services Under Public Health Emergency Pandemic Restrictions has been updated to include the public health measures and recommendations put in place in response to the increasing cases of COVID-19 in Alberta due to the Omicron variant. This advisory statement, effective January 7, 2022, provides direction to ensure regulated members have the necessary information to comply with the latest legislation, standards, and requirements. Click here to access the updated advisory statement. Click Here for resources Click here for the Addendum to the Advisory Statement with the definition of critical worker.

ACSLPA’s Advisory Statement: Providing Services Under Public Health Emergency Pandemic Restrictions (Updated: January 7, 2022 - Superseded)is now available on The ACSLPA website. This advisory statement provides direction to ensure regulated members have information to comply with legislation, standards and requirements related to the new public health emergency announced by the Government of Alberta on September 15, 2021. This advisory statement is in effect as of today, September 24, 2021. ACSLPA will continue to provide updates to members if further information or changes that may affect members in their practice are announced. If you have questions, please contact the SLP Practice Advisor or [...]

On September 15, 2021, the Government of Alberta announced new Covid-19 public health actions, which came into effect on September 16, 2021. ACSLPA has received guidance that under these new measures, NO CHANGES to operations are required for regulated health professionals. Members are further advised that consistent with the directive on mask requirements from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, effective September 4, 2021, masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces and workplaces. Members must wear masks in all indoor work settings, except while alone in workstations or when separated by at least two metres distance from all other persons. [...]

ACSLPA’s guidance to members for Alberta’s Stage 3 reopening is now available - Guideline: Providing Services Under Eased Pandemic Restrictions. The guidance provides for a fair bit of discretion as we move into Stage 3 on July 1st. While the former advisory “Providing Services during a Pandemic” is now superseded, members may find the details helpful when determining their practice protocols and precautions. If you have questions; please contact the SLP Practice Advisor at s l p @ a c s l p a . c a or the Audiology Practice Advisor at a u d i o l o g [...]

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? 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 [...]

November 25, 2020 To ACSLPA Members On November 24, 2020 the Government of Alberta announced enhanced public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Members should become aware of and follow these new restrictions which are available at https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx. ACSLPA does not have any additional information than what is available to the public at this time. Based on the information available, it is ACSLPA’s understanding that the enhanced public health restrictions have the following affects on ACSLPA members in their professional practice: Regulated ACSLPA members working in public health settings (i.e. AHS and its wholly owned subsidiaries) should continue to [...]

General What kind of mask do I need to wear? ACSLPA members are required to wear masks that meet Health Canada specifications regardless of practice setting/environment. This means you need a medical-grade mask (e.g., procedural mask). Look for an ASTM or EN rating on the mask [box]. More information on Health Canada approved products is available at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/covid19-industry/medical-devices/authorized.html. What masks does ACSLPA recommend or endorse? ACSLPA doesn’t endorse any particular brand of mask. ACSLPA members should ensure they wear a mask that meets Health Canada specifications. Can I wear a face shield instead of a mask? This depends. If you work [...]

The Advisory Statement was updated on May 15, 2020 to include information received by the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Check back frequently for changes. Advisory Statement: Providing Services During a Pandemic (May 15, 2020 - Updated: March 23, 2021- Updated: July 1, 2021 - Superseded)

Request Process for ACSLPA Members who Work in Private Practice Hazard assessments are required under Occupational Health and Safety to identify existing and potential hazards related to COVID-19. Where possible, hazards should be eliminated. If a hazard cannot be eliminated, then it must be controlled. Appropriate hazard control (from most to least effective) includes (but is not limited to): Eliminating the hazard where possible: Limiting services that are not essential or not urgent/critical. Substituting services: Providing services by a different means other than face-to-face (e.g., virtual care/telepractice/curbside pickup). Using engineering controls: Maintaining physical separation of 2m between people. Using physical barriers [...]