New Covid-19 measures in effect November 27

November 25, 2020, 2:46 pm

The Saskatchewan government has put new restrictions in effect due to Covid-19 as of November 27

COVID-19 transmission rates in Saskatchewan continue to increase, resulting in serious illness and deaths, placing provincial health care resources under increasing strain. Additional public health measures are being introduced based on the transmission patterns observed in Saskatchewan, providing further guidance to help reduce COVID-19 case numbers over the coming weeks.

These additional health measures come into effect at 12:01 am, Friday November 27 and, along with current health measures, remain in effect until December 17, 2020. At that time they will be reviewed by the provincial Chief Medical Health Officer.

Enforcement of public health orders is permitted under The Public Health Act, 1994.


Restaurants and Licensed Establishments
All restaurants and licensed establishments (bars, taverns, nightclubs) are limited to seat four at a single table. If there are impermeable barriers between the tables, tables must be placed two metres apart. If there are no impermeable barriers between tables, there must be a three metre distance between all tables.

Restaurants and licensed establishments must maintain guest/reservation information on all patrons.

The curfew on liquor service remains in effect.


Performance and Gaming Venues
Capacity will be restricted to 30 people at all casinos, bingo halls, arenas, live theatres, movie theatres, performing arts venues and any other facilities that are currently supporting a capacity of 150 people.

Where any of these facilities offer food or beverage service, they must keep the activity separate (i.e. cordoned off) from the food and beverage service. No food or drink may be in the activity area.


Indoor Public Event Gatherings
Indoor public banquets, conferences, wedding and funeral receptions in public venues will be limited to 30 people. Food or beverages may not be present or served.
Note that the maximum allowable gathering size for private gatherings in the home setting remains at five. This includes in the home or in buildings located on the private property (e.g. garages, sheds). If your immediate family is five or greater, you cannot have additional visitors. Individuals, recurring caregivers, support personnel (i.e. therapists, nursing staff) and tradespersons (i.e. housekeeper, plumber) are permitted, though they should maintain two metre distancing and be masked during service provision.
Gatherings of any size beyond your immediate household are strongly discouraged at this time.


Sports, Fitness and Dance
All team/group sports, activities, games, competitions, recitals, practices, etc. are suspended, including amateur and recreational leagues for all age groups. Examples include hockey, curling, racquet sports, cheerleading, dance practices in group setting, etc.

Athletes and dancers 18 years of age and under may continue practicing, conditioning and skills training in groups of eight or fewer, abiding by the required mask use and at least three metres of physical distancing between participants at all times.

Individual groups of eight may not share a training/rehearsal surface or space at the same time.
Coaches /trainers are not included in the training group numbers as long as they are masked and maintain a minimum physical distance of three metres.

Fitness activities and group fitness classes in groups of eight or fewer continues to be permitted, for all ages. Mask use and at least three metres of physical distancing between participants must be maintained.


Places of Worship
All places of worship must reduce capacity to 30 people, including wedding, funeral and baptismal services. No food or drink may be present or served.


Mandatory Masking Expanded
Mandatory, non-medical mask use will be required during all indoor fitness activities, with aquatic activities the only exception.

Mandatory, non-medical masking will be extended to:
All students, employees and visitors in all schools and day cares (except while consuming food or beverage or engaging in aquatic fitness activities). Children ages 0-2 years are exempt from wearing masks. Children ages 3-12 should wear a mask if they are able to;
All employees and visitors in all common areas in businesses and workplaces, even in those areas which the public does not have access (e.g. construction sites, manufacturing facilities); and
All residents, employees and visitors in all common areas in provincial and municipal correctional facilities.
Note that masking continues to be required in indoor public areas that have installed barriers.
Information on mask use is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/masks.


Malls and Retail
Retail businesses must enhance the expectation of mask use and mitigation measures (reduced traffic, directional flow signage, hand sanitizer, etc.) through signage and staff training.

Large retail locations are required to limit customer access to 50 per cent capacity or four square metres of space per person, whichever is less. Large retail locations are defined as retailers with a square footage larger than 20,000 square feet, and 50 per cent capacity is determined by half of the specified fire-code capacity.


CFIB says Saskatchewan restrictions better than a blanket lockdown
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says the new restrictions will hurt some small businesses (particularly in the hospitality sector), they are preferable to blanket lockdowns as seen in other provinces.

“We know Saskatchewan small businesses are in a fragile position with 35 per cent losing money every day they are open,” said Marilyn Braun-Pollon, CFIB’s Vice-President, Western Canada and Agri-business.

“A blanket lockdown would have pushed some small businesses to the brink of closure. The new limited measures will give many small businesses a fighting chance to surviving the holiday season. It’s now up to all Saskatchewan residents to follow these new orders and do our part to slow the spread.”

“While we appreciate the province has taken a limited and targeted approach in its restrictions, we cannot ask small businesses to cover the costs of protecting society alone,” added Braun-Pollon. “We know the hospitality sector will be among the hardest hit by the measures introduced today and that’s why we need the provincial government to introduce full, immediate and ongoing support for this sector.”

“The new restrictions in Saskatchewan will certainly have a negative impact on struggling small businesses. A full 43 per cent of Saskatchewan firms said they will not survive a second lockdown. But the new rules allow most small firms to maintain some economic activity and do not tip the scales in favour of big box stores,” said CFIB president, Dan Kelly. “We are particularly pleased that Saskatchewan has adopted a “small business first” retail strategy which will place capacity controls on busy big box stores, but allow far quieter small retailers to remain open. We feel this is a far more sensible approach than the ones used in Manitoba and Ontario.”