Step by step: Saskatchewan prepares for final phase of reopening

Saskatchewan is set to take its next step.

The final phase of the provincial government’s Re-Opening Roadmap comes into effect Sunday with the removal of all public health orders. That includes mandatory masking in indoor spaces and limits on the size of gatherings.

On Wednesday, Premier Scott Moe’s government issued what it called “guidance” for Step Three.

Moe and Dr. Saqib Shahab are holding a media conference to discuss the plan. Listen live here.

Visitation in Long-term and Personal Care Homes

Starting Sunday, all long-term and personal care homes can allow their residents to have an unlimited number of visitors and family members. That’s dependent on scheduling limitations at the home.

All visitors will be screened for COVID symptoms and will be offered rapid antigen testing in facilities operated by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

“Visitors and families are strongly encouraged to continue to wear masks during visits and to maintain physical distance, especially if not fully vaccinated,” the government said in a release.

“Staff will continue to take recommended precautions to protect residents including staff masking, screening, rapid testing and use of personal protective equipment.”

Masking and screening will be required for all patients and visitors in Saskatchewan’s health-care facilities and at all Saskatchewan Cancer Agency facilities.

Masking

Residents who wish to wear masks can continue to do so — and the government recommended those who haven’t yet been vaccinated or who haven’t yet got both doses should continue to wear masks.

Individual businesses or facilities can implement their own masking policy, and some Saskatchewan businesses already have said customers will still have to wear face coverings.

“If you enter a facility that requires a mask, patrons must respect the decision of the business and either comply or choose not to visit the establishment,” the government said.

Businesses, Workplaces and Schools

Businesses and workplaces have their own individual Occupational Health and Safety plans, and the government suggested those should include guidelines for COVID-19 transmission.

Pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 schools are to return to regular operations for the 2021-22 school year. Meanwhile, as of Sunday, licensed child-care facilities can go back to operating the same way they did before COVID hit.

Children under 12 and others who can’t be vaccinated

Health Canada has yet to approve a COVID vaccine for children under the age of 12, so the province is urging everyone 12 and over to get fully vaccinated to protect children.

The same recommendation was made to protect people who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons or those who are severely immunocompromised.

“If you are a close contact of a person who cannot receive the vaccine due to health reasons, fully vaccinated individuals are asked to respect that person’s personal preferences for any additional preventative measures,” the government said.

Continuing services

Even after Step Three begins, all residents aged 12 and over will be offered first and second doses through pharmacies and SHA clinics.

Testing also will remain available and contact tracing will continue. People are reminded to self-monitor for symptoms, to stay home if they’re sick and to get tested.

“All public health agencies respond to localized outbreaks of transmittable diseases like influenza during the course of a year,” the government said. “Public health will continue monitoring and respond to localized COVID-19 outbreaks.”