The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for a three week “circuit breaker” saying the measures taken by the government to curb COVID-19 are too little, too late. A circuit breaker is a temporary lock down.

NDP Leader Ryan Meili says the premier ran the last election on the premise that the battle against COVID-19 had already been won and since the election he feels the government has been too slow to react to the second wave of COVID-19 and rapidly rising case numbers.

The New Democrats have specifics outlined for the ‘circuit breaker’ which include:

-Close non-essential businesses and allow retail stores to maintain delivery and curbside service
-Limit essential businesses to 25% capacity
-Allow bars and restaurants to operate with take-out and delivery only
-Close sports, fitness and recreation facilities
-Close bingo halls and casinos
-Keep schools open at Level 3 throughout the province, with support to reduce class sizes
-Bring back the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment Program and fix it to make it more accessible
-Provide gap supports – similar to what is offered in Manitoba – for businesses that are not eligible for federal supports
-Provide small business innovation grants for business owners that wish to upgrade to online retailing, delivery platforms and virtual service delivery
-Bring back the moratorium on residential evictions and stop the clawbacks on housing and income assistance. -Supports for businesses to keep their employees on the payroll and emergency supports for workers who still find themselves temporarily out of work

Ryan Meili states, “If we want to protect our economy and our businesses, we need to get control of the pandemic. The choice is not between our health care or our economy – it is between a targeted action now or a much more severe lockdown later.”