Alberta provides paid job-protected leave for self-isolation, as total cases reach 29

Alberta is changing labour rules to provide 14 days of paid leave for workers who self-isolate due to the novel coronavirus or are caring for someone who has it.

Premier Jason Kenney says employees will not need a doctor's note nor will they have had to work for 90 days previously to qualify.

Alberta has announced six new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number in the province to 29.

Publicly funded schools, however, will remain open. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health, says the evidence on whether closing schools is an effective way of limiting the spread is not conclusive.

All 29 cases are travel-related and Hinshaw is not recommending Albertans travel outside Canada.