If City Council had approved the COVID-19 recommendations from Administration as is, there wouldn’t be mandatory masking on Transit buses as of the end of this month, but that has changed, for now. City Council had a special meeting today to discuss the provincial government’s end to COVID-19 Public Health orders.

As of February 14th, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test will no longer be required at City facilities, which aligns with the provincial government’s announcement, but Council has decided to continue mandatory masking. City Manager, Jeff Jorgenson says the reason why it was recommended that Transit not be included was that it would be difficult to enforce, and with the “inherent tension” these days, it would put people at risk.

So, Administration is now looking at options for enforcement and the associated costs, with the direction to report back before the end of the month, which is when the provincial mandatory masking order ends. Councillor David Kirton was among other Councillors who noted that knowing there is still some time before the end of the month to make a final decision on mandatory masking for Saskatoon Transit is why they could approve this recommendation.