The community hospitals that were converted to Alternate Level of Care sites to build capacity for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases were left without emergency departments, but temporary suspensions will be lifted in June. The first re-opening will be in Arcola in mid-June with Kerrobert, Herbert, Preeceville, Davidson, Wolseley, Arcola, Bigger, Leader and Oxbow after that.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority says 3 other community hospitals in Broadview, Radville and Lanigan will require some additional time because they were experiencing staff shortages prior to the SHA’s Readiness Plan, so the Association will work with them to create a stable staffing pool first.

Premier Scott Moe stresses that permanent closures were never a part of the plan. A Facebook group concerned about the closures has been organizing a rally to protest against the temporary closure on June 3rd at the Legislature, but was dealing with challenges around mass gatherings because of COVID-19.