City of Lloydminster, rest of Saskatchewan to introduce proof of vaccination, negative tests broadly on Oct.1

When October begins, so too will a broad program for proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test in Lloydminster and the rest of Saskatchewan.

The new guidelines mean people will either need proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result to access a range of businesses or event venues. This proof will be required for all Government of Saskatchewan ministry, crown and agency employees.

What these rules mean for the workplace

Employers in the public service, under The Public Employers’ Covid-19 Emergency Regulations, will be required to have proof of vaccination or a negative test result every seven days, the province says.

A negative test result would also be required for anyone who is partially vaccinated. These negative tests for an asymptomatic person will be paid for by the person receiving the test.

The province will also be phasing in proof of vaccination or negative test for all SHA employees on October 1st. They note that this is to mitigate the risk from more transmissible COVID-19 variants, a necessary step to protect the health care system, patients and residents and to preserve health care services. More details will come from the SHA to employees and contractors this week.

These employees will not be required to pay for the testing involved if they have received an approved accommodation based on the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.

Private employers can also choose to opt into this program as well should they wish.

Province notes what constitutes vaccine proofs when visiting a required place

The province says people will have several options for proof of COVID-19 vaccinations including paper cards or QR codes, which are now back online after being taken down last Friday due to privacy concerns. The province says this issue is resolved, and people should redownload their QR code if they previously had one.

People can use:

• Wallet cards received at time of immunization
• A printed copy of a MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificate, with or without a QR code
• A screenshot of a MSHR vaccine certificate, with or without a QR code, saved to a mobile device
• An earlier version of a MSHR COVID-19 vaccine certificate
• A COVID-19 vaccine printout from Saskatchewan Health Authority Public Health

In the future, when a QR code MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificate uploaded to SK Vax Wallet is available, people will be able to use that too. 

Businesses requiring proof of vaccination will also require ID from anyone 18 and older. Youth aged 12-17 will also need to show ID unless accompanied by an adult with proof of vaccination and ID.

If these young people are visiting a business needing this proof but without a photo ID or an adult with it, they can present other forms of government-issued identification such as birth certificates or health services cards.

The Saskatchewan Government also says they’re aware of some people trying to obtain affidavits stating they would be exempt from vaccination. The province says vaccinations are not mandatory in Saskatchewan and individuals may refuse to be vaccinated, therefore legal affidavits are not required and will not provide an exemption.

What constitutes proof of a negative test

People who choose not to be vaccinated can provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test to a business or place requiring them, dated no more than 72 hours away.

The SHA will not be providing these tests, as they will be devoting their time to people with symptoms, who are close contacts, have had a positive rapid antigen test, have been identified as part of an outbreak situation or require transfer or admission to long-term care, primary care, social services or intensive care units.

People will be able to pay for a private test from a lab that will provide them. A self-administered take-home rapid antigen test will not be accepted as valid proof of negative COVID-19 test results.

In announcing these rules, the province once again called on people to get vaccinated, calling it the best possible defence against COVID-19. SHA clinics and pharmacies across Saskatchewan will continue to provide COVID-19 vaccinations, and people can find locations on the SHA Website.