Phase 1 is here for the Re-open Saskatchewan plan. It’s the first of five phases to get back to an open economy after COVID-19 regulations were enacted. As the province said when the plan was announced, it will be a gradual re-opening and under the first phase, medical services that were restricted under the public health order can now resume.

That includes dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, opticians, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment. If it’s not possible to physically distance, providers will have to take precautionary measures. Seating in the waiting rooms will need to be spaced out and no more than 10 people at one time.

The government has suggested an alternative method for waiting where clients stay in their vehicles and the office would text or call when it’s time to come in.
On the recreational side, boat launches are now open and fishing season in the south begins tomorrow (Tues), on the 15th in the central zone and on the 25th in the north.

Also on the 15th, you can golf again, but no walk-ons and tee times are 20 minutes apart. On June 1st, parks and regional and provincial campgrounds will open. Physical distancing measures remain in place.

There may be a little more activity around Saskatoon today (Mon) for the first day of the re-open Saskatchewan plan, but that doesn’t mean it’s back to the way it used to be. Even the services that open will be working in a new way, similar to what grocery stores and other essential retail services have been doing since the beginning of the public health orders because of COVID-19. Previously restricted medical services can open if they are able to follow the physical distancing protocols.

Fishing and boat launches are open, which means Meewasin Valley Authority’s rural facilities are open, but CEO Andrea Lafond cautions that the Water Security Agency has increased the flow of the river so sandbars will disappear and will make it more difficult to navigate. She adds that there will be staff checking in to make sure physical distancing is being enforced. Also, the boat launches close at 8, so if anyone hasn’t made it back to their vehicle by that time, it will be locked in.