Some Saskatchewan businesses plan on going against new rules

A lot of places in Saskatchewan will be asking you for your vaccination status starting Friday.

But not every required business plans on following this new rule.

In a group on Facebook called “Saskatchewan Businesses against health passes,” people share places that are planning on not requiring proof of vaccination, as well as sharing conspiracies surrounding COVID-19 and the vaccines.

It’s not just business owners inside fringe groups like that one who are planning on rejecting the current measures in place.

Some gyms such as Villains Strength & Conditioning in Regina sent out an email to clients stating they won’t ask for vaccine information to attend the gym.

“The vaccination policy is exactly that — a policy, it is in no way a law that is mandatory to follow,” an email from the gym read.

The Government of Saskatchewan disagrees.

“Gyms will be included in the public health order that requires them to provide access only to persons that provide proof of vaccination or a recent negative test. Public health orders are not policy, they are lawful requirement made under legislative and regulatory authority,” an email from the government read.

“Because the public health order will state that the option of acceptable proof includes that of vaccination or testing, the facility would not be in violation of the public health order if they only accept negative test results from their customers.

“If it is the gym’s intention to permit access to their facility without proof of either vaccination or testing, the business will be in violation of the public health order and could be subject to a summary offence ticket.”

Villains refused comment when contacted by 980 CJME and wouldn’t say whether or not customers would have to provide a negative test.

“Occupying a place where people don’t have to feel threatened to be who they are has always #1 for us,” Villains said in its email to gym patrons.

“While this is a very unique situation — we’re not about to turn our backs on some core values that encompass this community.”

The fine for going against the new rules could be costly for businesses.

“Summary offence tickets for offences committed under the current Public Health Orders carry significant voluntary payment amounts, $2,000 for individuals and $10,000 for corporations,” the government said. “The amounts increase to $2,800 and $14,000 with the mandatory inclusion of the victims of crime surcharge.

“There is no choice not to pay. They would be taken to court if they did not pay a ticket.”