Get out and spread out.
That’s the advice from the City of Saskatoon with the warmer weather now upon us, amid the physical distancing challenges of COVID-19 and the first phase of re-opening Saskatchewan’s economy beginning on Monday.
Mayor Charlie Clark says, “We have seen too many people not following the Public Health Orders and beginning to gather in groups in parks and open spaces.”
With the greater risk of transmission of the virus, we could lose the progress that has been made to date.
There are over 200 parks in the city, so Clark suggests if your favourite area seems overcrowded, try something new.
The City is redeploying recreation as Physical Distancing Ambassadors to visit the parks and bring awareness to the physical distancing guidelines.
Clark would also like to see more clarity from he provincial government on the extending of family groups and what that means for backyard gatherings for instance, or if they can have meals together.
It’s something the mayor has discussed with the province, along with making sure Saskatoon’s vulnerable population is safe.
He has also relayed a concern from business owners who are worried some businesses may not follow the rules around safely opening, so more clarity is needed from the government there as well.

The estimated cost to the City of Saskatoon for its response to COVID-19 is about $68-million, and savings of about half have been found to cover that.
Mayor Charlie Clark says that’s why the Federation of Canadian Municipalities request to the federal government for $10-billion is so important.
He believes running a deficit is not a solution, because it just delays the cost, giving significant challenges to future councils and the possibility of raising taxes.
The City has reached out to both the federal and provincial governments, but wonders if municipalities are getting stuck between the 2.
Clark says cities play a fundamental role in the economic recovery, and would like the 3 levels of government to sit down and find some solutions.