Saskatchewan’s Premier says the Reopen Saskatchewan Plan may be released next week if the COVID-19 case numbers hold steady like they have been.
On Monday, 2 new cases were reported for a total of 300 with 14 new recoveries for a total of 178.

Scott Moe says the government is looking at what a gradual relaxing of the restrictions for businesses might look like, but there is no timeline for when this might happen.

Right now, the goal is to increase the amount of tests per day to 15-hundred and the purchase of some new testing equipment that only takes 4 hours for results is part of that.

Meadow Lake and Prince Albert are the first to receive the testing equipment with another dozen communities expecting them in the days ahead. Moe adds that the province has also ordered more equipment for another 25-thousand tests and an additional 46-thousand is part of a collective federal order.

Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, says when business are allowed to open again, it won’t be like before. Physical distancing and vigilant cleaning will need to be followed, just like they are in the stores that are open now.

There is still a concern about long term care facilities. Premier Moe says although there have been no cases in this province, across Canada about half of the COVID-19 cases are in these long term and acute care homes.
That’s why the Saskatchewan Health Authority has ramped up its policies, which include continuous masking in these facilities, temperature checks for staff before and after their shifts and minimizing staff movement between facilities.

Moe also talked about farms being essential workplaces because Saskatchewan supplies the food and all the equipment and products that are involved, including farm equipment, potash fertilizer and research.
That’s why the government is reminding producers to follow all the safety practices to prevent transmission, including to monitor for symptoms, practice, physical distancing even when outside, wash your hands often, and frequently disinfect shared surfaces like vehicles, tools, doorknobs and work benches.

For more information on COVID-19 and agriculture, including access to the Farm Stress Line, visit https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/sask-ag-now/covid-19-information-for-producers-and-agribusiness/support-for-producers-covid-19