SGI is joining numerous sectors across the province in requiring their patrons to be COVID-19 vaccinated or have proof of a negative test.

As of October 25th, people taking a road test will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID or have a negative COVID-19 result, no more than 72 hours earlier, from an SHA approved testing facility.

Proof of vaccination, as previously established by the provincial government, includes a QR code from the MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificate, either printed or on the patron’s mobile device, a printed hard copy of MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificate, wallet cards issued at the time of vaccinations or a COVID-19 vaccination printout from Saskatchewan Health Authority Public Health.

Manager of Media Relations for SGI Tyler McMurchy says they’re doing this so everyone is protected from COVID-19, as their business is very close-quarters at times.

“We want our customers to be safe, we want our employees to be safe, and [if] they’re going to be sharing an enclosed vehicle, an enclosed space, breathing the same air, it’s really important that we’ve done all we can to reduce the chances that COVID-19 has been transmitted in one of those situations.”

McMurchy adds that anyone who doesn’t have either of these pieces of proof will be told to rebook their test for when they do.

According to numbers recently published by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, young people are over-represented among those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, SGI says.

The provincial insurer notes that this stat factored into their decision, as half of those taking an SGI road test were age 19 or under, and 38 per cent were between the ages of 20 and 30.

McMurchy explains that their staff will have the SK Verifier App to check QR codes. In addition, employees will have to follow the same rules.

“That’s a government direction, applying to all Crowns in the province, as well as government ministries. So our customers can take comfort in the fact that they’re getting in the car with somebody who has provided proof of a recent negative or most likely is fully vaccinated.”

Drivers booking a test can find more information about this policy can find it on the SGI website.