As of Friday, mandatory masking for all indoor public spaces is back in Saskatchewan, temporarily.
Premier Scott Moe adds that as of October 1st, a proof of vaccination or negative test requirement will be implemented for public access to businesses, establishments and event venues that bring groups of people together.
That includes indoor dining at restaurants, nightclubs, bars and other licensed establishments, event and entertainment venues including conference centres, casinos, concert venues and movie theatres, and indoor fitness centres and gyms.
You won’t need proof of vaccination for places of worship, retail stores, fast food restaurants offering takeout and delivery, health care services and hotels.
The move follows a surge in cases that has record numbers of daily new cases of COVID-19.
Premier Scott Moe says numbers show the fourth wave is being driven by the unvaccinated.
“Our hope was that, by presenting this clear evidence, that those who have chosen to this point to be unvaccinated, would make the right choice and go out and get vaccinated, some did, and some are yet today,” said Moe. “But many have not yet, and we have been very patient, possibly too patient, and that time for patience is now over.”
Provincial Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab says the unvaccinated are at risk of contracting COVID-19 like never before.
“If you are unvaccinated, please step forward. Delta is twice as transmittable, twice as severe, it’s causing hospitalizations in the unvaccinated like never before.”
Researchers testing Saskatoon wastewater detected a 127 per cent increase in COVID-19 in the city’s wastewater in the most recent testing week and they say the only variant is the Delta variant.
Children under 12 are exempt for proof of vaccination or providing a negative test. Saskatchewan’s verifiable vaccination record will be launched next week. Details will be shared by the Health Ministry prior to the launch. Protocols regarding proof of negative test requirements are currently being developed. As well, Moe announced all provincial government ministry, crown and agency staff will need to be fully vaccinated by October 1st. To facilitate testing, the province is working to expand widespread access to rapid-antigen tests for home-based screening.
Effective October 1 a provincial requirement for proof of vaccination or negative test will be implemented for public access to a list of establishments, businesses and event venues that bring groups of people together, including:
Indoor dining at restaurants;
Nightclubs, bars, taverns and other licensed establishments;
Event and entertainment venues, including conference centres, casinos, movie theatres, concert venues, live-music venues, museums, and indoor facilities hosting ticketed sporting events;
Indoor fitness centres, and gyms.
Proof of vaccination will not be required for the following:
Retail businesses, including grocery stores;
Places of worship;
Fast food restaurants offering takeout and delivery;
Health care services, professional services, or personal services;
Hotels or other lodging;
Facilities hosting non-ticketed amateur sporting events, including youth athletics and recreational leagues;
Business meetings and places of business closed to the general public, unless otherwise directed by the business or employer;
Private gatherings held at an indoor public residence.
