As of Monday, some new businesses and retail outlets will require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test in Saskatchewan. The province’s new Public Health Order requires your proof at all restaurants where you are dining in, including fast food restaurants, at liquor manufacturers which also sell liquor, and at liquor stores which have offsale.  Proof is not needed for food pick-up or delivery, at food courts, or for entering to use the washroom.

Those are the changes, and then the other businesses and event facilities that were mentioned in the first Public Health Order issued on October 1st will remain. They include restaurants, nightclubs, bars, taverns, buses and any other establishments and transportation that is licensed by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. Standalone retail liquor stores and cannabis stores, and event and entertainment venues remain on the list as well.

Business and organizations that are exempt include retail businesses including grocery stores, liquor stores that are within another business, places of worship, personal services, public libraries, hotels or lodging and facilities hosting amateur sporting events.

NEW PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER REQUIRES PROOF OF VACCINATION IN ADDITIONAL VENUES

A new Public Health Order will come into effect at 12:01 Monday October 18 that will add some businesses and retail outlets now requiring Proof of Vaccination or Negative Test for public access.

New Additions to the Public Health Order Now Requiring POV or Negative Test

Proof of vaccination or a negative test will be required at point of entry to access:

• Seated dining in all restaurants including fast food restaurants;
• Liquor manufacturers conducting retail liquor sales; and
• Liquor stores with an integrated permit that also hold a liquor restaurant or tavern permit.

A POV or negative test will not be required for food pick-up or delivery, at food courts or for entering a premises to use the washroom.

This order will replace the Public Health Order that came into effect at 12:01 October 1 which outlined businesses and organizations that are required to request proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test in order to access the venue. In addition to the changes above, the order applies primarily to non-essential businesses such as:

• Restaurants, including restaurants in hotels or other lodgings;
• Nightclubs, bars, taverns, and manufacturer hospitality suites, buses and other establishments and transportation licensed by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority for the sale and service of alcohol;
• Liquor stores that have been issued standalone retail store permits issued by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority; and
• Cannabis stores that have been issued standalone retail store permits by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.

Event and entertainment venues including:

• conference centres, meeting rooms and banquet facilities, except when being used for the purposes of a court or tribunal proceeding;
• theatres;
• cinemas;
• bingo halls, casinos and other gaming establishments;
• concerts;
• live-music venues;
• fitness centres and gyms; and
• facilities hosting sporting events where tickets are required that have GST charged on the ticket.

Businesses or organizations exempt from this order include:

• retail businesses including grocery stores;
• businesses holding an integrated liquor retail store permit that do not also hold a tavern or restaurant permit issued by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority;
• businesses holding an integrated cannabis retail store permit issued by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority;
• places of worship (including weddings/funerals/wakes);
• personal services, health care services, professional services;
• public libraries;
• hotels or lodging including self-serve food options located within the hotel or other lodging;
• facilities hosting amateur sporting events, including youth athletics and recreational leagues;
• private gatherings at public venues (weddings/funerals/wakes/meetings); and
• private gatherings at private residences.

Proof of Vaccination

Businesses and organizations have several options for checking acceptable proof of vaccination. These include:

• A QR code/MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificate either printed or on the patron’s mobile device as a screenshot or in SK Vax Wallet;
• A printed hard copy of MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificate with or without a QR code;
• Wallet cards issued at the time of vaccinations; and
• A COVID-19 vaccination printout from Saskatchewan Health Authority Public Health.

More information for business owner/operator/managers is available online at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-information-for-businesses-and-workers.

Proof of a Negative Test

Individuals who do not have proof of vaccination have the option of providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test result from within the previous 72 hours.

A self-administered take-home rapid antigen test will not be accepted as valid proof of negative COVID-19 results and the SHA is no longer supporting testing for asymptomatic individuals at the public testing sites, preserving resources to test symptomatic and other at-risk populations.

The cost for all proof of negative test results for asymptomatic testing will be the responsibility of the individual.  Individuals requiring a negative test result have several private options on the market that will provide a rapid antigen test or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for a fee.

A current list of locations and labs offering testing services is available at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/testing-information/where.

COVID-19 vaccinations remain the best defense to prevent serious illness and hospitalizations. The Saskatchewan Health Authority and pharmacies throughout the province continue to provide vaccination clinics. To find a clinic near you go to www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-vaccine.

Enforcement of Public Health Orders

With the recent implementation of proof of vaccination/proof of negative testing requirements in the province, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) and the Ministry of Health are adding resources and personnel to support Public Health Inspectors (PHIs).  This will re-establish a team of trained individuals to assist in awareness, education and compliance of the current public health order.

These personnel will not be conducting inspections but will assist in responding to complaints of non-compliance with Public Health Orders. Once complaints are substantiated through investigation, members of this team may use their discretion to determine if a ticket will be issued or if education is enough to ensure that people are following the PHOs.

This team operated throughout the previous emergency order to assist in compliance with public health orders.

The public can continue to log their inquiries at 1-855-559-5502