The Saskatchewan Government is putting in additional measures to flatten the COVID-19 curve.
On Wednesday, the province announced that there were fourteen new confirmed cases. Four were community transmissions, while the others were travel related.
In response, Effective Thursday, March 26th, public gatherings are now limited to 10 people. Also, several more businesses are being prohibited from front-facing services. These include:
- Clothing stores
- Shoe stores
- Flower shops
- Sporting good and adventure stores
- Vaping supply shops
- Boats, ATV, or snowmobile retailers
- Gift, book, or stationary stores; jewelry and accessory stores
- Toy stores
- Music, electronic and entertainment stores
- Pawn shops
- Travel agencies
“As we impose further restrictions to fight the spread of COVID-19, we know this creates challenges for businesses in Saskatchewan and we know that providing as much clarity as possible is important,” Says Premier Scott Moe, “We are already seeing the creation of a social distancing economy in Saskatchewan as many businesses adapt their service delivery to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
The Government has also released a list of businesses that will remain open so as not to disrupt supply chains or vital services.
- Health care and public health workers
- Law enforcement
- Public safety and first responders
- Production, processing and manufacturing and the supporting supply chains;
- Transportation and logistics
- Government and community services
- Media and telecommunications
- Construction including maintenance and repair
- Select retail services
- Banking and financial services
In the meantime, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is opening a non-emergency hotline for COVID-19 questions. Residents can now call with not non-health specific concerns, ranging from travel restrictions to government services. The line will be staffed 16 hours a day, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m and hopes to free up space for 8-1-1 to handle calls. People wanting to use that number can call 1-855-559-5502.
So far, 6,270 COVID-19 tests have been performed by Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory, with 86 confirmed cases.