Here are some highlights from Thursday’s provincial COVID-19 update with deputy premier Gord Wyant and chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab.
The latest update focused on new guidelines for part 1 of Phase 4 including child and youth day camps, outdoor pools and splash pads, and outdoor sports and activities – individual and group. There was also updated guidelines for graduations and for places of worship.
For places of worship the number of people allowed is increasing to one-third of the seating capacity of a building or a maximums of 150 people, whichever is less.
Wyant was asked why the sudden change and he indicated there were ongoing discussions with faith leaders. He said the reason for the change because there was "significantopportunity for physical distancing within those large worship spaces".
For grad ceremonies, there were updated guidelines provided for virtual services, drive-in services and outdoor services. Outdoor services may proceed if they are held outdoors with a maximum of 30 graduates per class and an overall attendance of 150 people (including graduates, guests and staff members).
Other outdoor services such as weddings and funerals can go ahead under similar guidelines, he said.
As for a date for phase 4.1 Wyant said they were not quite ready to announce the date yet but said you could expect an announcement will be made early next week.
He did say parents and organizers “can be assured” that kids sports and activities will go ahead this summer, at a starting date coming “very soon”.
Wyant said it would look a little different: there would be no tournaments or interprovincial travel for sports teams, and no handshakes.
“While the risk of transmission outdoors is lower, there is still a risk,” Wyant said. “So we want to reduce that risk and keep everyone as safe as possible.”
On a related note, Baseball Saskatchewan had announced earlier this week it is cancelling all of its provincial tournaments for the summer of 2020.
In his comments Dr. Shahab reinforced familiar themes, reiterating physical distancing and handwashing, and to not go out to an event if unwell .
He also suggested that at larger events with attendance of 150 people that there be cohorts of 30 within those larger groups, which are separated from the other groups to limit spread of the virus.
