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In the past 10 days, there have been at least three pubs/restaurants in Saskatoon’s Sutherland neighbourhood with declared COVID-19 outbreaks.
According to the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the first outbreak was declared Jan. 12 at the Blue Rhino Restaurant and Pub.
On Sunday, an outbreak was declared at Venice House Traditional Grill and Dino’s Pub and Grill. On Tuesday, an outbreak was announced by the SHA at Specklebelly’s Pub and Eatery next door to Venice House.
All of the establishments are located along Central Avenue.
650 CKOM has contacted the SHA regarding the number of COVID-19 cases associated with each of the pubs. We have also asked whether any of the owners/managers of the restaurants have been fined, and what, if any, violations may be associated with the fines.
So far, no information has been provided.
On Tuesday, Premier Scott Moe announced there could be penalties — in addition to fines — for businesses not following public health orders.
“I’ve asked public health to look at is there other opportunities in addition to fines including closing these bad actors indefinitely to ensure that we are having compliance in our communities,” Moe said during a conference call.
While SHA CEO Scott Livingstone confirmed businesses that receive fines for violating public health orders are not named, chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said the province’s privacy commissioner would be consulted to find out what kind of information can be released to the public.
“At the very least, we should identify the types of facilities via, you know, is it a licensed establishment or some other setting, just to get an awareness of where are some of the guidelines not being followed,” Shahab said. “So I think we’ll have to do some follow-up on what we can legally disclose or not.”
Shahab also explained some businesses are doing their best to follow guidelines, but patrons may not follow them. Other businesses may have a mix of employees and clients not following public health orders, and still others may be outright flouting the guidelines.
Crackers, another Saskatoon restaurant and karaoke bar, so far has had 87 COVID-19 cases associated with an outbreak at that establishment.
There’s no word, though, on whether public health has issued any fines.