Meili calls for three-week lockdown in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan NDP Leader Ryan Meili wants a “circuit-breaker” lockdown.

He said a three-week lockdown could be instrumental in getting COVID-19 under control in the province.

“We’re calling on the government to implement a temporary three-week ‘circuit-breaker,’ a ‘circuit-breaker’ to bring the virus under control and allow us a better chance of protecting our health, protecting our economy and giving us some hope for the holiday season,” Meili said Wednesday. “We all want to enjoy the holidays with family and friends.”

Meili’s plan would include non-essential businesses closing while maintaining delivery and curbside pickup.

“Bars and restaurants would be able to operate through takeout and delivery, limit essential businesses to 25 per cent capacity, close sports, fitness and recreation facilities, as well as bingos and casinos,” Meili said.

“It would bring back the Saskatchewan small business emergency payment program and fix it to make it more accessible while making sure small businesses are able to keep their employees on the payroll.”

The biggest difference in Meili’s plan compared to the spring lockdown is this time, schools would remain open.

He says schools would stay open at Level 3 of the Safe Schools Plan throughout the province, which would include reduced in-class learning for students.

“We would provide the support to reduce class sizes while reducing the chance of infection in our classrooms. That’s the plan. And if it sounds a lot like what we were dealing with in the spring, it’s because it is,” Meili said.

“Everybody knows the spring was tough, but it worked. And that’s what matters. We enjoyed low numbers and a great summer, because we made those decisions in the spring. We need to do what works again.

“We always knew it might be necessary to have another lockdown. This is the action that must be taken now if we want to avoid more pain, more hardship, more sickness in the weeks and months ahead.”

Premier Scott Moe has dismissed the idea of having a short-term lockdown at the moment, saying it’s not worth it at this time while addressing that it could be a possibility in the future.

Saskatchewan Health Minister Paul Merriman gave a response to the opposition’s call for a “circuit-breaker” lockdown.

“As Premier Moe announced on Tuesday, a number of new measures have been enacted to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan and slow down our individual actions without implementing a lockdown,” Merriman wrote. “These measures are backed by the Chief Medical Health Officer who has provided sound medical advice throughout the pandemic.”

Merriman said the NDP’s idea for a province-wide shutdown would put thousands of people out of work, adding the Saskatchewan Party will continue to be cautious in terms of its approach.

“Our government will continue our balanced approach as we consult with leaders in the hospitality, faith, recreation and athletic communities on further measures that may be necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan,” he said.