19.4°C Vancouver

Apr 7, 2021 9:29 PM -

Alberta church shut down, fenced off for ignoring COVID-19 health restrictions

Share On
alberta-church-shut-down-fenced-off-for-ignoring-covid-19-health-restrictions
File - Free Reformed Church is seen as people attend Sunday Service, in Chilliwack, B.C., on Sunday, February 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Metal fences have been put up around the GraceLife church just west of Edmonton and Alberta Health Services says it will stay closed until it complies with COVID-19 health rules.

The church has ignored public health warnings for months, and its pastor spent a month in jail.

Churches are allowed to be open at 15 per cent capacity, but officials say hundreds of people have attended GraceLife's services.

Several doctors say public-health restrictions introduced by government are not enough

Several doctors from Calgary and Edmonton say that with cases involving COVID-19 variants doubling every week, public-health restrictions introduced by the Alberta government are not enough to reduce the spread of the virus.

Dr. James Talbot, co-chair of the COVID-19 committee with the Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association, says the restrictions on indoor restaurant dining and retail customer limits announced yesterday won't reduce the stress on hospitals and intensive care units.

Another expert with the University of Calgary says in order to get the curve bending downward, there needs to be another shutdown like the one imposed last spring.

Latest news

WorldAug 27, 2026

Car Explosion in St. Petersburg Kills Russian Lieutenant Colonel, Injures Wife

A Russian military officer was killed and his wife injured in a car explosion in St. Petersburg on Thursday, according to Russian media reports. The couple were reportedly inside the vehicle when the explosion occurred. The deceased was identified as a lieutenant colonel. He died at the scene, while his injured wife was taken to a hospital for treatment. Russia’s Investigative Committee said a criminal investigation has been launched into the incident. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the explosion and identify those responsible. Russia has previously accused Ukraine of ca
prince-george-rcmp-seize-cash-drugs-and-firearms-in-drug-investigation
BCAug 27, 2026

Prince George RCMP Seize Cash, Drugs and Firearms in Drug Investigation

Prince George RCMP officers have seized a large quantity of suspected illicit drugs, cash, firearms and ammunition during a drug investigation at a local residence. The investigation began on August 24, 2026, at a home in the 6200-block of Monterey Road. Police searched the residence and seized approximately $29,000 in cash, along with more than 100 grams of two unidentified substances believed to be illicit drugs. Officers also recovered two firearms, ammunition and drug-trafficking paraphernalia during the investigation. The only person inside the residence at the time was arrested and later
CanadaAug 27, 2026

Canada-India Ties Strengthen as Ministers Signal Progress on Bilateral Trade Deal

Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met in Toronto on Thursday, with both sides emphasizing the need to strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries. Speaking at a news conference in the presence of Sitharaman, Champagne said Canada and India have complementary strengths and can benefit from deeper cooperation. He said Canada can contribute to India’s energy and food security, while India has the ability to provide Canada with talent and technology on a large scale. Sitharaman, meanwhile, signalled that th
villages-wiped-out-in-moments-devastating-floods-leave-a-trail-of-destruction-in-nepal
WorldAug 27, 2026

Villages Wiped Out in Moments! Devastating Floods Leave a Trail of Destruction in Nepal

Severe flooding in Nepal has caused widespread destruction, with several villages near the country’s border with China reportedly devastated by powerful floodwaters and landslides. Aerial footage has captured the scale of the destruction, showing villages buried under thick layers of mud and debris. Roads, marketplaces and other critical infrastructure have been swept away, leaving entire communities struggling to cope with the aftermath. The force of the disaster was intensified by the sudden flow of snow, huge rocks, boulders and mud down the mountain slopes. The debris reportedly moved so
punjab-govt-signals-action-against-employees-after-mass-strike
IndiaAug 27, 2026

Punjab Govt Signals Action Against Employees After Mass Strike

The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government is preparing to take strict action against government employees who participated in the mass strike across the state. The government has sought a list of employees who remained absent from duty without prior permission during the strike. Secretary-level officials have been directed to submit the list by tomorrow. The government has argued that the strike disrupted public services and caused considerable inconvenience to ordinary people. Officials have indicated that action will be taken against employees found absent from duty without authorization. Ea

Related News