In the face of a spike in COVID-19 cases, the province of Saskatchewan has declared a State of Emergency. This decision gives the government broader powers to deal with the pandemic. There are now 16 presumptive positive or confirmed cases in Saskatchewan.

This includes things like limiting travel to or from a community or region of the province as well as direct property or equipment be deployed to deal with the pandemic.

There are new orders that go with the decision to declare a State of Emergency:

Public gatherings larger than 50 people are prohibited; all restaurants, bars and event venues must limit their seating to 50% capacity or up to a maximum of fifty people whichever is lesser; all of these venues must be able to ensure social distance of 1 to 2 metres between customers; retail space such as grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations are exempted from this policy but still need to be able to enforce it if necessary; all gyms, fitness centres, casinos and bingo halls are ordered to close; any licensed restaurants and taverns in Saskatchewan will be permitted to sell alcohol as an offsale indefinitely.

All crown utilities will implement bill-deferral programs allowing a zero interest bill deferral for up to six months for those whose ability to pay their bills may be impacted by COVID-19.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority will discontinue all non-urgent, elective surgeries, procedures and diagnostics as of March 23. Emergent and urgent care as well as cancer, urgent and emergent surgies will continue.

Parents with children in daycares need to prepare for further restrictions.