(file photo/paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

covid-19

New COVID protocols mean some changes for P.A. business but not schools

Nov 13, 2020 | 5:05 PM

Increased health protocols announced by the Government of Saskatchewan Friday to curb the spread of COVID-19 will impact some of Prince Albert’s public spaces and businesses but are being welcomed as a balanced approach. Meanwhile, the changes will not impact local schools, but the provincial teacher’s union says mask wearing measures don’t go far enough.

Starting Monday and for a 28-day period, all Saskatchewan restaurants, and licensed establishments (bars, taverns, nightclubs) will be required to stop serving alcohol by 10 p.m. and consumption must end by 11 p.m. There are no exceptions for private events or outdoor serving spaces. Mask wearing will become mandatory for indoor public spaces in every community with a population over 5,000. Previously the masks were mandatory only in P.A., Saskatoon and Regina.

All businesses and organizations must review the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan for their respective sector guidelines and make any required changes to abide by them completely. These guidelines are enforceable under the public health order.

Business reaction

In an interview with paNOW, CEO of Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce, Elise Hildebrandt asks the public to comply with the new health measures, so things do not become worse for local businesses.

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“We the chamber obviously support the targeted measure that was announced by our Government of Saskatchewan,” Hildebrandt said. “We completely believe that adhering to these guidelines will ensure our local economy recovers quickly and that our business community remains open.”

Although there are new restrictions to sales in certain establishments, Hildebrandt is thankful that businesses are not completely shutdown.

“We’re so incredibly thankful that the province did not make the decision to shut down our businesses completely,” Hildebrandt said. “Now, if we as individuals can do our best to follow the guidelines to help prevent the curve from going up that would be wonderful.

“If we can each do our best to help each other stay safe, that would be the biggest message we have got.”

The Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce is one of 34 associations, chambers of commerce, and economic development groups that signed an open letter to the people of Saskatchewan to express their support for the approach the Government of Saskatchewan has taken to address rising case counts.

Schools

Meanwhile, the health ministry advised high schools of 600 students or more to implement so-called Level 3 protocols, which includes reducing in-class learning. The Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division (SRPSD) said Carlton Comprehensive Public High School was already under such measures.

“Only half of each class attends each day and students participate in remote learning on alternate days, Director of Education Robert Bratvold told paNOW in a media release. “In terms of the operation of other schools, we regularly review the practices that are in place and we will continue to do that to ensure we are providing appropriate COVID protocols.”

Bratvold reassured the public that in the SRPSD schools there has been no evidence of transmission.

Bratvold said schools are important not only for educating the community’s children but “as centres of community in social, psychological, and other ways as well. Schools are also important to the economy as major employers in many communities and as places that provide caring learning environments while the parent(s) work.”

Like the SRPSD, Prince Albert Catholic Schools moved St. Mary to Level 3 at the start of the year and so no additional measures or changes will be required at this time.

In an email, Director of Education Lorel Trumier said they would continue to regularly review matters and plans will evolve as required by emerging health risk assessments under the advisement of Public Health.

She added the division was grateful for the support of students, parents, and staff and “everyone is doing an amazing job to help us keep COVID out of our schools as transmission in our schools has not occurred to date.

“This is the time to be very careful and continue to be mindful with following the protocols (wearing masks, sanitizing/washing hands, physically distancing and not coming to school when feeling ill). The Christmas season will soon be upon us and we all want to be with our families while in good health.”

STF wants stricter measures

However, a disappointed Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) said Friday afternoon the new measures leave school staff and students vulnerable.

President Patrick Maze called for masks to be mandatory for all staff and students, including Pre-K to Grade 3, and for school divisions to move immediately to Level 3.

“Classrooms are crowded, and there are numerous accounts of significant delays in contact tracing. This is creating significant health risks for the staff and students who are left unprotected,” Maze stated, in part, in a media release.

—

With files from Dawson Thompson and Glenn Hicks

panews@jpbg.ca