Questions and answers on checking vaccination status
October 5, 2021, 10:56 am
Questions and answers on the requirement for some Saskatchewan businesses and organizations to check for vaccination status. These answers come from the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
Do patrons still have to mask in my business now that this order is in effect?
Mandatory indoor masking remains in effect for all indoor public venues in the province.
What businesses or venues does this order apply to?
This order will apply primarily to non-essential businesses, not including places of worship or private gatherings in public venues. This order will apply to:
Restaurants, including restaurants in hotels or other lodgings that are not fast food restaurants.
Nightclubs, bars, taverns buses and other establishments that serve alcohol under the authority of The Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act, 1997.
Event and entertainment venues including:
theatres;
cinemas;
bingo halls, casinos and other gaming establishments;
concerts;
live-music venues;
fitness centres and gyms;
stand alone liquor and cannabis retail sales locations; and
facilities hosting sporting events where tickets are required that have GST charged on the ticket.
What businesses or venues does this order not apply to?
Businesses or organizations exempt from this order includes:
retail businesses including grocery stores;
off-sale liquor stores and liquor stores located in other retail stores(excluding standalone liquor and cannabis retail);
places of worship (including weddings/funerals/wakes);
personal services, health care services, professional services;
public libraries;
hotels or lodging including self-serve food options located within the hotel or other lodging;
facilities hosting amateur sporting events, including youth athletics and recreational leagues;
private gatherings at public venues; (weddings/funerals/wakes/meetings); and
private gatherings at private residences
Is there a difference between indoor dining at restaurants and fast food establishments?
Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be required for indoor dining at restaurants as well as any attached outdoor/patio eating areas. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will not be required for fast food establishments whether dining indoors or outdoors as the length of stay is typically shorter than for indoor dining at restaurants.
Does this apply to food courts in malls?
No. A proof of vaccination is not required for fast food courts in malls.
What about outdoor dining on patios?
Outdoor dining areas attached to restaurants will require Proof of Vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
Does this apply to self-serve food bars in hotels?
Self-serve food bars in hotels do not require a proof of vaccination or proof of negative test.
Wedding ceremonies are exempt, is my wedding reception also exempt?
Yes, currently all private functions in public venues such as wedding receptions will not require a proof of vaccination or proof of negative test.
Funerals are exempt, is the wake also exempt?
Yes, currently all private functions in public venues such as funerals wakes will not require a proof of vaccination or proof of negative test.
Are private meetings in hotel meeting rooms subject to PoV or negative COVID-19 test?
No. A private meeting held in a public hotel meeting room or other public venue will not require a proof of vaccination or negative COVID test.
Hotels and lodgings are exempt in the news release. What about restaurants, pools and gyms in hotels?
Only restaurants and bars within hotels will be required to ask for proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test result. Hotels and lodgings including their pools and gyms are exempt from requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test.
If I attend a worship service in a faith-based facility, this order does not apply. What if I have an event or run a private business in a faith facility, such an exercise class or a community supper?
Any events operated within a faith facility will not require patrons/participants to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test result.
What happens if I have a private function in a public place, such as a hotel conference room or a restaurant I have rented out?
Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test result will not be required for private functions that are held in hotel conference rooms or restaurants that have been rented or contracted to provide services for the event.
Will employees of those businesses/venues that are requiring proof of vaccination or test result also have to provide a proof of vaccination or test result in the workplace?
This determination will be made by the employer. The Government of Saskatchewan will be requiring all of its employees to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test and would strongly encourage other employers to follow suit. The government introduced The Employers' COVID-19 Emergency Regulations to assist employers making this decision.
If volunteers provide services in my venue or business, are they required to provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test?
The requirements for proof of vaccination or negative test result for volunteers is the same as requirements for patrons for any venue or business.
How do I check vaccine credentials for my patrons (provide link to material prepared for businesses)?
There are several options for checking vaccine credentials for customers. These include:
A QR code/MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificate either printed or on the patrons mobile device as a screenshot or in Sk Vax Wallet
A printed hard copy of MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificate with or without a QR code
Wallet cards issued at the time of vaccinations
A COVID-19 vaccination printout from Saskatchewan Health Authority Public Health
