The Government of Saskatchewan is implementing more measures as six new positive cases of COVID-19 were found.
The following measures are effective immediately:
- Public gatherings of more than 25 people in one room are prohibited unless a two metre distance can be maintained.
- All nightclubs, bars, lounges and similar facilities will be closed.
- In-person classes in all public and private schools are suspended.
- Visitors to long-term care homes, hospitals, care home and group home are restricted to compassionate reasons only.
The following measures go into effect on March 23:
- All restaurants, food courts, cafeterias, cafes and bistros will be closed with the exception of take out and drive through service.
- All recreational and entertainment facilities will be closed.
- All personal service facilities will be closed including tattooists, hairdressers, barbers, acupuncturists, acupressurists, cosmetologists, electrologists, estheticians, manicurists, pedicurists, suntanning parlours, relaxation masseuses, facilities in which body piercing, bone grafting or scarification services.
- All dental, optometrist, chiropractic, registered massage therapy and podiatry clinics will be closed except for non-elective procedures.
- Daycare facilities are limited to a maximum of eight children unless the facility falls in line with the Saskatchewan childcare guidelines.
- Daycares co-located with a long-term care or personal care home will be separated with a private entrance so there is no interaction between children and residents of the facility.
The province is also implementing mandatory self-isolation measures. Premier Scott Moe says he was concerned some individuals returning from international travel were not following the 14-day self-isolation policy.
“I know that the vast majority of Saskatchewan people are taking their personal responsibility seriously and following this order. But a few are not. This is not a suggestion. It is not a guideline. It is the law and it must be followed.”
- Anyone that has travelled internationally should go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from when they arrived back into Canada.
- Health care workers that have travelled internationally are exempt if they are required to work to maintain essential services, emergency health care services or maintain supply chain.
- People who have been identified by a Medical Heatlh Officer as a close contact of a person with novel coronavirus will go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from when they were last exposed to COVID-19
- People who have become symptomatic while in self-isolation should call HealthLine 8-1-1 and follow their directives
- People who are household members of a person confirmed with COVID-19 will go into self-isolation immediately, call HealthLine 8-1-1 and follow their directives
Moe says violating the self-isolation orders could result in a fine of $2,000.
The province has eight confirmed cases and 18 presumptive cases of COVID-19. Five of the six new cases were tested after traveling outside of the country. Four were found in Regina and two in Prince Albert. Twenty-four are well enough to self-isolate at home and two are in hospital for medical reasons unrelated to respiratory illness.