(Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

COVID-19

Mandatory masks and private gatherings down to 5 among new COVID measures to mid-December

Nov 17, 2020 | 3:45 PM

Mandatory masks across Saskatchewan and private indoor gatherings reduced to five people are just some of the new public health measures to take effect on Thursday. There will also be restrictions on visiting care homes, while the government says it will consult with the hospitality industry and others to enhance efforts to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

These measures will be in effect until Dec. 17 and then will be reviewed by the Chief Medical Health Officer. Enforcement of public health orders is permitted under The Public Health Act, 1994.

Premier Scott Moe says restrictions to take effect Thursday are a “slow down” not a lockdown.

“A significant one month slow down, so let’s slow down our amount of activity that is occurring outside the home, let’s slow down the amount of movement, let’s slow down and reduce our amount of contacts and let’s look for reasons to stay home instead of reasons to go out,” he said.

Mandatory Masking across Saskatchewan

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The province recommends wearing masks when outside the home but wearing non-medical masks will be mandatory in indoor public places. The list of indoor spaces may be amended for clarity but the province suggests if unsure of a location if it qualifies as an “indoor public space,” better to wear one than not.

Masking in school settings will still be described in the back to school plans by each school divisions.

Masking guidance for childcare centres and daycares is described in the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.

For businesses looking on how to inform customers can find posters on the government’s website.

Protecting Residents of Long-Term and Personal Care Homes

Visitation to all long-term care facilities and personal care homes will be suspended. The only exception will be for compassionate reasons.

This is an additional measure to the protections that have been in place, including mandatory masking of all staff, staff cohorting and symptom screening prior to shift.

Private Indoor Gathering Sizes Reduced

Indoor private gathering sizes are being reduced to five down from 10. This includes in the home or in buildings located on private property. For those who have immediate family five or greater no additional guests are allowed. Gatherings of any size beyond immediate household are strongly discouraged at this time.

• Support personnel (ie. therapists, nursing staff) and tradespersons (ie. housekeeper, plumber) are permitted though they should maintain two metre distancing and be masked during service provision. Health care workers not able to maintain physical distancing when providing home care services must wear appropriate PPE.
• Any private gathering of more than five people/your immediate household must occur in a public venue (ie. restaurant, community hall), abiding by all applicable guidelines of physical distancing, food service, masking, etc.
• Outdoor private gatherings remain at 30 people maximum and only if physical distancing of two metres can be maintained at all times.

Moe said a second lockdown would cause the loss of tens of thousands of jobs across the province.

“We want to ensure that we are doing everything that we can continue to operate not just the sectors of our economy but the sectors of our community as safely as we can.”

However he did not rule out the possibility of a lockdown or “circuit breaker” in the future.

“We feel that we are at a stage here where a slow down will work, we may get to a lock down in the days ahead,” he said.

Work from Home

The province is recommending that if you can work from home to do so and if you already are to continue.

Reviewing guidelines

The Ministry of Health will be consulting with the hospitality industry (restaurants, bars, casinos, etc.), on continuing to mitigate the risk of transmission in their sectors.

They’re also consulting with athletic organizations and gyms to how they can continue limit risk of the spread and how guidelines can be enhanced to limit the spread of COVID-19.

They will also be talking with faith leaders to improve guidelines for worship services and how they can be enhanced.

Entertainment transportation (ie. party buses, group limousines and recreational vehicles) are no longer permitted.

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow