Council set to vote on proposed gathering bylaw for Saskatoon

Halloween plans this weekend could be in jeopardy if a proposed bylaw to limit private and public gatherings in Saskatoon gets the OK from city council on Friday.

A special council meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. to deal with the COVID-19 measure.

The proposed bylaw states:

• Prohibit the unvaccinated and partially vaccinated from gathering in private
  dwellings beyond their own household.
• Permit fully vaccinated households to socialize with up to one other fully
  vaccinated household (including children under 12 who are not yet eligible for
  vaccination).
• Reduce private gathering sizes in public venues (for weddings, funerals etc) to
  25 per cent capacity, with no indoor dining.
• Reduce gathering sizes at places of worship to 25 per cent capacity or a maximum of
  150 people, whichever is less.

The report says if proof of vaccination is required, restrictions would not apply to public venues.

The city took matters into is own hands after the provincial government rejected the city’s call to bring in a provincial health order to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Saskatoon, which has been a hot spot for the virus this fall.

However, not all councillors are on board with the idea. Three councillors voted against a motion to draft such a bylaw during Monday’s regular council meeting.

The report proposes hiring a private security company to handle enforcement at a cost of $32,400 for one month.

“City staff who provide services related to inspection and enforcement of City bylaws already have a demand that exceeds capacity for bylaw compliance, and they do not have the required training to undertake this work,” said the report.

Enforcement would be complaint driven. People would be encouraged to file a complaint online, but a phone option would also be available.

If the bylaw is passed at Friday’s meeting, the rules would come into force immediately and be in effect until Nov. 30 according to the report.