Tracy Zambory with the Sask. Union of Nurses says it’s distressing that the government didn’t make masks mandatory in indoor spaces across Saskatchewan and just in communities of 5,000 people or more, as well as those in close proximity to the three major centres of Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert.
“As an organization we are very disappointed with the measures that have been put into place. They have not gone anywhere near far enough. In towns and villages, of definitely less than 1,000 people, we have many long term care facilities, we have many integrated facilities.”
Mandatory masking at an expanded number of communities goes into effect today. Other new rules included licensed establishments not serving alcohol after 10 pm, fitness facilities with group aerobic activities need to have people three metres apart and no more than eight participants. More information can be found here regarding the new public health orders that go into effect November 16th.
Wahkohtowin School in Saskatoon has been closed due to a second positive COVID-19 case. Saskatoon Public Schools has decided to close the school temporarily after being notified on Sunday by the Saskatchewan Health Authority of the second positive case. The school division says due to the contact tracing investigation the school is facing staffing challenges for continuing in class learning. The closure is effective immediately with the goal of reopening next Monday. All students will move to remote learning for the duration of the closure.
On Sunday Saskatoon Public Schools was also notified of a single positive case at four other schools: Ecole Lakeview School; Montgomery School; Brunskill School; and Marion Graham Collegiate. Since the start of the school year Saskatoon Public Schools have had 43 positive cases at 26 locations.
Prairie Spirit School Division says the Saskatchewan Health Authority has informed them of a case of COVID-19 at Warman Community Middle School. The school division says they are working closely with Public Health staff to make sure the necessary measures are in place to protect students and staff.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority has informed the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools of two positive cases COVID-19 at St. Frances Cree Bilingual School while there was one positive case at cole St. Gerard School.
St. Frances switched to online learning on Tuesday and will continue with online learning through this coming Wednesday (November 18th). The SHA has completed contact tracing for cole St. Gerard. In-person classes will continue as scheduled.
Masks are mandatory in these communities:
Aberdeen
Albertville
Allan
Asquith
Balgonie
Battleford
Beaver Creek
Belle Plaine
Bradwell
Cedar Villa Estates
Clavet
Colonsay
RM of Corman Park No. 344
Craven
Dalmeny
Davin
Delisle
Dundurn
Edenwold
Estevan
Furdale
Grand Coulee
Gray
Humboldt
Kindersley
Kronau
Langham
Lloydminster
Lumsden
Lumsden Beach
MacDowall
Martensville
Meacham
Meadow Lake
Meath Park
Melfort
Melville
Moose Jaw
Neuhorst
Nipawin
North Battleford
Pense
Pilot Butte
Prince Albert
Regina
Regina Beach
Riceton
Saskatoon
Shields
St. Louis
Swift Current
Thode
Vanscoy
Warman
Weirdale
Weyburn
Whitecap
White City
Yorkton
