Fall Activity Guidelines for Saskatchewan

Oct 8, 2020 | 10:03 AM

These guidelines provide information on how to safely enjoy fall celebrations and honour Remembrance Day while reducing the potential spread of COVID-19. Events that exceed allowable gathering sizes and do not follow public health protocols have been a major source of COVID-19 transmission

1. General Guidelines

People should not participate in fall activities if they are sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. If you think you may be sick, use the online Saskatchewan COVID-19 self-assessment tool and follow the directions.
Private indoor and outdoor gatherings may have a maximum of 30 people if there is enough space to maintain two metres between individuals who are not in the same household/extended household.
Where it is difficult or uncertain to maintain two metres of physical distance, people are encouraged to wear non-medical masks (e.g. cloth or other materials).
Where possible, limit holiday gatherings to household/extended household groups only.
Where possible, consider virtual gatherings.
Where possible, plan for all or part of the celebration to be held outdoors and ensure two metres of physical distancing between participants who are not a part of the same household/extended household.
If you plan on hosting a gathering or meal, you and your guests should consider the risks involved and take the necessary preventative measures:
- Exclude people who are sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Recommend that individuals at higher risk, including seniors and those with compromised immune systems or other underlying medical conditions, not attend.
- Stagger the time of arrivals and departures.
- Increase access to alcohol-based hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number).
- Frequently clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched often.

2. Thanksgiving and Private Gatherings

Shared meals between non-household members or members who are not in the same extended household are discouraged.
Any private indoor or outdoor event that includes food service may have a maximum of 30 people, provided there is enough space to maintain a two-metre separation between individuals who are not in the same household.
Gathering sizes should be smaller if there is not enough space to maintain a physical distance of two metres at all times between non-household/extended household members.
Potlucks are discouraged and there should be no shared platters of food or buffet service.
All served food should be plated by a single person. One person should handle the preparation of food and drink following proper food safety protocols.
Vulnerable individuals, such as seniors and those with underlying health conditions, should receive their food first to minimize cross-contamination.
Consider having individual portions delivered from a restaurant or caterer.
Guests and hosts should wash their hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number) prior to eating, as well as before and after handling food or food packaging.

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3. Fall/Fowl Suppers and Similar Events

Suppers are permitted and must follow the gathering limits in the current Public Health Order (30 persons or fewer), provided there is enough space to maintain two metres between individuals who are not in the same household or extended household.
Fall/fowl suppers and other similar events must align with the Banquets and Conference Facilities Guidelines when hosting food service.
Meals can be offered as takeout, but organizers must ensure that no more than 30 people are in attendance at any one time and physical distancing is maintained in lines. Markers/tape may be used at two-metre intervals to ensure physical distancing can be maintained in lines.
No self-serve or buffet-style meals are permitted.

4. Trick-or-Treating

Trick-or-treating is permitted with the following measures in place:

Neighbourhood Trick-or-Treating

Two metres distance must be maintained between individuals who are not in the same household/extended household at all times.
No direct physical contact should occur between trick-or-treaters and people distributing Halloween treats.
Participants should consider using tools (e.g. tongs) to distribute candy at a distance.
Physical distancing must be used when approaching houses (i.e. wait until group ahead is gone, take turns). For houses or neighbourhoods anticipating a high volume of trick-or-treaters, people distributing candy are encouraged to place tape markers every two metres between doorways and sidewalks/driveways to promote physical distancing.
Due to the number of people potentially touching the treats prior to being handed out, consider cleaning candy wrappers with disinfectant wipes or holding the treats for 72 hours before consuming.
Only wrapped, store-bought treats should be distributed.
Common touch areas (e.g. handrails, doorbells, doorknobs, etc.) should be frequently cleaned and disinfected while distributing candy.
Trick-or-treaters should practise frequent hand hygiene by carrying portable hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number).
People distributing candy should practise frequent hand hygiene while handing out Halloween treats.
Trick-or-treaters should consider incorporating non-medical masks (e.g. cloth or other materials) into their costumes, while ensuring their eyes are not covered for safety reasons.
Individuals handing out candy should consider wearing non-medical masks (e.g. cloth or other materials) where two metres of physical distance cannot be maintained.
Where possible, only one household member should hand out candy.
Alternatives to trick-or-treating may be considered, such as:
- Costume viewing from windows/virtual/photos.
- Decorating households and yards for viewing from afar.
- A costume parade where physical distancing can be maintained.

Mall/Retail Trick-or-Treating

Retail outlets must follow the Clothing and Retail Guidelines as part of their operations.
Outlets handing out candy must ensure they comply with all guidelines specified above for private trick-or-treating.

5. Haunted Houses

Organizers must implement one-way traffic flow to promote physical distancing (i.e. enter through one door and exit through another).
Use markings or dividers and visual cues in common areas to ensure physical distancing between non-household/extended household members.
Non-medical masks (e.g. cloth or other materials) are an additional measure participants can consider when physical distancing cannot be maintained or is unpredictable.
Ensure frequent hand hygiene is available for everyone before, during and after visiting the haunted house with hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number).
Expand cleaning and disinfection of common/high-touch surfaces with the use of a Health Canada-approved product.
Walk-though times between groups must be a minimum of 10 minutes apart to avoid congestion in the haunted house.

6. Pumpkin Patches

Pumpkin patches are permitted to operate under the following conditions:

People exhibiting signs of illness should not enter pumpkin patches. If you think you may be sick, use the online Saskatchewan COVID-19 self-assessment tool and follow the directions.
People not from the same household or extended household should maintain two metres of physical distancing at all times. Limit gathering with other people when entering and leaving the pumpkin patch, and always supervise children playing.
Limit entry to the pumpkin patch to allow for physical distancing of two metres between individuals and family groups. Block off areas to control access.
Minimize the number of entrances and exits to control the number of participants.
Manage lineups into the pumpkin patch to meet physical distancing requirements of two metres between people not from the same household or extended household.
Direct traffic flow through the patch using chalk or tape markings on the ground, ropes, barriers or other markers as required. Where possible, implement one-direction traffic flow to promote physical distancing.
Ensure frequent hand hygiene is available for everyone before, during and after pumpkin picking with hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number).
Expand cleaning and disinfection of common/high-touch surfaces with the use of a Health Canada-approved product.
If photo stations are available, two metres of physical distancing must be maintained between household groups lining up to take photographs.
Photographers must maintain two metres of physical distance from groups or individuals being photographed.
The photo station must be disinfected between each group being photographed.
Any outdoor play areas in pumpkin patches must follow the Recreation Guidelines.

7. Remembrance Day Ceremonies

In recognition of the importance of observing Remembrance Day, the following guidelines have been developed for event organizers and participants to help ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved.

General Guidelines

Wherever possible, organizers should provide an option for virtual attendance using online streaming services.
Organizers are responsible for managing the positioning and directional flow of attendees to encourage physical distancing and minimize crowding.
Provide enough time for attendees to arrive prior to the ceremony in order to minimize lineups. Where lineups may form, provide markings to ensure physical distancing while waiting in line.
Attendees should be provided instructions for safe entry and exit from the event using public address systems, where possible.
Provide hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number) at entrances and outside of washrooms.
Non-medical masks (e.g. cloth or other materials) are recommended where two metres of physical distancing is unpredictable or cannot be maintained, including organizers, event staff, volunteers and those participating in the ceremonies.
Contactless payment options for poppy sales should be considered, where possible.
Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of any common touch items is required.
Food service, where provided, must follow the Restaurant and Licensed Establishments Guidelines.
Musical performances, including The Last Post, must follow the Performing Arts Guidelines.

Capacity Limits – Indoor Venues

Indoor venues that have been previously approved to accommodate crowds exceeding the gathering limits in the Public Health Order (e.g. places of worship, rodeo and racing venues, movie theatres) can welcome up to 150 people (not including event staff or those involved in the ceremonies) provided two metres of physical distancing can be maintained at all times between non-household/extended household groups. Ceremony organizers should contact the Business Response Team at 1-844-800-8688 or by email at supportforbusiness@gov.sk.ca if there are any questions on the eligibility of venues for Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Capacity Limits – Outdoor Venues

Event organizers can create areas for ceremonies in outdoor spaces (e.g. municipal parks with cenotaphs), but attendance must be limited to 150 people (not including event staff or those involved in the ceremonies). Markings must be in place to allow for physical distancing between individuals and household groups.
Organizers are responsible for controlling access to event areas.
Ensure common walkways are clearly marked with directional signage to encourage one-way traffic flow.

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by Government of Saskatchewan