The Saskatchewan Health Authority have had health regulations in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 since the pandemic first came to Saskatchewan early this year.
Stepping up the regulations has been part of their recent mandates as COVID-19 numbers have begun to climb higher and faster in the last month. Nov. 19 saw heavier mask requirements in indoor public spaces across the province. Alberta took the same route on Nov. 24, with requirements being put in place in Edmonton and Calgary.
Since that time, media channels in Alberta have seen numerous reports of violence and non-compliance.
RCMP detachments across east central Saskatchewan are reporting that this has not been the case in Saskatchewan communities, including Melfort, Tisdale, and Nipawin.
Cpl. Josh Martin, acting detachment commander of the Nipawin RCMP, said they have been focusing on education rather than ticketing when it comes to mask complaints but have had few issues with people choosing not to wear masks. So far no charges have been laid.
“We are seeing a little bit of non-compliance, particularly with some of the self-isolating issues, but we're addressing those with public health.”
Martin urges people to comply with Health Authority Guidelines and take precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19 so that the province and the country can get out of this pandemic.
Both Cpl. Mike Benjamin with the Tisdale RCMP and S/Sgt. Adare Guest with the Melfort RCMP have had little to report about residents not complying with mask regulations, saying people have been good about wearing masks in public spaces in their communities.
