The provincial government is dangling a carrot over Saskatchewan residents for COVID-19 vaccinations. Premier Scott Moe says if 70 per cent of eligible Saskatchewan residents 12 and older have had their first shot, and it has been three weeks since Step 2 began, which will be June 20th, all public health restrictions will be lifted. That means no more mandatory masking and no gathering size limits as early as July 11th.

Step 2 begins June 20th, which includes no capacity limits for retail and personal care services, no limits on table capacity for restaurants, and up to 150 people for bingo halls, casinos, art galleries, movie theatres and conference venues, if physical distancing can still be met. If the threshold of 70 per cent for 12 and older isn’t met, but 70 per cent of adults have had their first shot, then public health restrictions will be lifted, such as those on restaurants, sports and recreation, but mandatory masking and gathering size limits will remain.

Moe notes that right now we are at 62 per cent, as compared to the U.S., which is at 60 per cent and has already lifted restrictions.
He stresses Saskatchewan is being more cautious by waiting for the 70 per cent mark.

Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer commented on the decision from Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization that anyone who got AstraZeneca as a first vaccine could get Pfizer or Moderna for their second dose, or vice-versa. Dr. Saqib Shahab says this news makes it easier to get your second dose because it opens up options, and it adds clarity for those who received AstraZeneca and were wondering about their next step. He says if people opt not to get AstraZeneca or it’s not available at a nearby clinic, they now know they can get Pfizer or Moderna.