All public health measures in Saskatchewan have now been lifted.
With more than 70 per cent of residents over the age of 12 having received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the full implementation of Step 3 of the Re-Opening Roadmap occurred on July 11.
That means that all public health orders have been removed. This includes the removal of the province-wide mandatory masking order, and the removal of limits on events and gathering sizes.
Businesses and other facilities could still require patrons to wear masks.
There will be no changes to the masking, screening and family presence directives in SHA facilities with the exception of long-term care (LTC) homes. When you enter a facility, you will be expected to:
Wear a medical grade face mask for the duration of your stay in the facility. Facilities include all hospitals, vaccine clinics, out-patient clinics etc. Patients will continue to be able to remove their masks when they are in their own room. All staff in any SHA facility or performing any SHA service, like home care and including long-term care homes, are still required to follow continuous masking protocols.
Answer the COVID-19 screening questions honestly and to the best of your ability.
Follow Level 1 Family Presence guidelines. This means that each patient can designate two essential family members/supports. These people can both visit the patient but only one person at a time. Additional family members/supports can be designated for intensive care, and palliative care. Two people can be present at one time for intensive care, palliative care, and maternal/children’s units. These will be reassessed frequently and will be adjusted as the COVID-19 risk changes.
Continue to be kind and respectful to everyone. Abusive language and actions will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the facility.
For SHA long-term care facilities:
Residents, family and visitors are not required to wear masks and have no limit on the number of visitors. However, visitors are encouraged to wear a mask while visiting, particularly if the resident or visitor is not fully vaccinated or physical distance cannot be maintained. Masks help to reduce COVID-19 transmission. LTC Homes are different than other SHA facilities because these are considered people’s homes.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority reports that in June, 21 Saskatchewan residents were admitted to an intensive care unit due to COVID-19, and 15 residents died from the illness. There were zero COVID-19 related deaths or ICU admissions of any resident who had received both doses of vaccine.
The next edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
