The City of Saskatoon supports the provincial government’s gradual phase-in plan to re-open Saskatchewan, but Mayor Charlie Clark says there are still some things that need to be discussed.
He believes the 3 key areas of risk are ensuring and supporting businesses that re-open, while following the rules and making sure they have enough personal protective equipment, needing greater clarity around the rules for social gatherings of up to 10 people as of May 4th and fixing the ongoing gaps in the vulnerable populations strategy.
Clark says too many people are still on the street.
He knows there are 10 homes available, but the front line workers are dealing with guidelines and regulations and haven’t been able to respond as quickly as they would like on that front.
There are about 9 people in hotels, but that is a temporary fix and there have been reports that when the person’s COVID-19 tests come back negative, they are back on the street.
Director of the Emergency Management Organization, Pamela Goulden-McLeod, says although there will be a gradual re-opening, her biggest message is that everyone needs to continue with physical distancing and the other protective health measures while this happens.
It may be spring and we want to get back together with friends and family, but the only way to make sure we keep the transmission of this virus down is to continue doing what we are all doing.