On April 22, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced plans to reopen the province starting May 4, 2020. The plan is a gradual one, in five stages and comes with cautions. many restrictions will remain in place through the reopening process. However, any rollout is subject to change based on transmission patterns and other factors.
No dates were announced for the reopening of schools.
Premier Scott Moe in his address to the province stated “Our government takes this decision extremely seriously. We know there are risks on both sides. If we move too quickly, we risk increasing the spread of COVID-19. If we move too slowly, we risk permanent damage to the livelihoods of thousands of Saskatchewan people.” He went on to say people have saved lives by staying home.
“Saskatchewan has reduced the spread of COVID-19. We have flattened the curve,” Moe said. “That’s thanks to you. Each and every one of you.”
As of Wednesday, April 22, 2020, Saskatchewan had 326 total COVID-19 cases and 261 recoveries, for an 80.1 percent recovery rate. Four people have died from complications related to COVID-19 to date in Saskatchewan. COVID-19 numbers will be monitored daily, which will guide decisions made regarding the pace of lifting restrictions, or conversely putting them back in place.
Details of the plan were rolled out on Thursday April 23, 2020.
The following long-term restrictions should remain in place through all five phases:
- Protective measures for vulnerable populations.
- Individuals should continue working from home if they can do so effectively.
- Physical distancing must be maintained, wherever possible.
- People must stay at home when they are sick.
- Vulnerable individuals, such as seniors and those with underlying health conditions, should continue to exercise caution and minimize high-risk exposures, such as public outings.
- Personal hygiene will continue to be a key prevention measure.
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection should take place in workplaces, public spaces and recreational facilities.
- Although the public health order regarding the size of gatherings does not apply to businesses and workplaces, they are expected to follow the recommended public health measures, including:
- physical distancing for staff and clients;
- regular cleaning and disinfection;
- frequent handwashing and sanitizing;
- use of PPE where available and appropriate; and
- keeping staff who demonstrate or report COVID-19 symptoms out of the workplace.
- Long-term care and personal care homes must ensure that each staff member works in only one facility
The five phases of the plan are outlined as follows:
First phase
The first phase is reopening medical services previously banned under the current public health order. This includes access to dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, opticians, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment.
Not included is the resumption of elective surgeries, diagnostics and other non-essential procedures that are currently suspended. The government said that it is being considered separately and updates on when those will resume will be released in the near future.
Also being rolled out in stages during the first phase is the resumption of low-risk outdoor activities, with precautionary measures in place.
Fishing and boat launches are allowed starting May 4, and golf courses will be allowed to open as of May 15 with physical distancing guidelines.
The online reservation system for provincial parks will launch on May 4, and overnight camping will be allowed starting June 1. Park access is restricted to Saskatchewan residents only.
The size of public and private gatherings will remain limited to a maximum of 10 people.
Second phase
Phase two consist of re-opening retail and select personal care services.
The second phase will roll out on May 19 and include businesses and select private services that were previously deemed not allowable, which include clothing and shoe stores, flower shops and gift, book and stationery stores.
Hairdressers and barbers, registered massage therapists, acupuncturists and acupressurists can also start providing services as of May 19.
All businesses and public venues will be required to continue following physical distancing and cleaning and disinfection practices to protect both employees and customers.
Members of the public will be expected to follow physical distancing rules and to stay home if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
Restrictions on travel, mass gatherings and senior care homes will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
Phase three
Phase three consist of re-opening restaurants and food services, gyms and fitness centres, licensed establishments and child care facilities; re-opening remaining personal care services, Increasing the size of public and private gatherings to 15 people. However, a date on when this would happen has not yet been set. It will depend on the results of the roll out of phase 1 and 2.
Re-opening remaining personal services that can begin providing services to the public, including:
- esthetician;
- tattoo artist;
- cosmetologist;
- electrologist;
- manicurist;
- pedicurist;
- sun tanning parlour;
- facilities in which body piercing, bone grafting or scarification services are provided; and
- other personal service facilities.
Re-opening restaurant & food services – 50 percent capacity including:
- All businesses and customers are expected to maintain physical distancing practices.
- Restaurants, bars, lounges, food courts, cafeterias, cafes, bistros, and similar facilities are allowed up to 50 percent capacity of their regular capacity to respect limitations on the size of gatherings and physical distancing. Buffet service is not permitted.
- Recreation areas within restaurants and licensed establishments are not allowed. This includes dance floors, VLTs, pool tables and other areas where it is not possible to practice physical distancing.
Re-opening gyms and fitness facilities
- All businesses and customers are expected to maintain physical distancing practices.
- Re-opening gyms and fitness facilities promotes physical and mental wellness. Physical distancing must be maintained and stringent cleaning and disinfecting protocols must be established.
- Clients over 40 years of age and those with underlying risk factors should use caution when considering visiting fitness facilities.
Re-opening licensed establishments
- All businesses and customers are expected to maintain physical distancing practices.
- Restaurants, bars, lounges, food courts, cafeterias, cafes, bistros, and similar facilities are allowed up to 50 percent capacity of their regular capacity to respect limitations on the size of gatherings and physical distancing. Buffet service is not permitted.
- Recreation areas within restaurants and licensed establishments are not allowed. This includes dance floors, VLTs, pool tables and other areas where it is not possible to practice physical distancing.
Re-opening childcare facilities
- All facilities that provide child care services as defined in The Child Care Act, 2014, are limited to a maximum of 15 children per building space to allow parents to return to work. Restricting children to a single facility is mandatory to reduce transmission risks.
- All child care facilities located within a long-term care or personal care home must have a private entrance and separate space so there are no shared common areas. There must be no interaction between children and residents of the home. The facility may continue to operate subject to any restrictions placed on all child care facilities.
Increase the size of public and private gatherings to 15 People
- Other than in an allowable business, the size of public and private gatherings will increase to a maximum of 15 people.
Phase four
Re-opening indoor and outdoor recreation facilities; increasing the size of public and private gatherings to 30 people. The date for phase four has not yet been set.
Re-opening indoor and outdoor recreation and entertainment facilities
- All recreational and entertainment facilities, including casinos, bingo halls, arenas, curling rinks, swimming pools, municipal parks and playgrounds, galleries, theaters, museums and similar facilities.
- All seasonal programming, camps, recreational and athletic activities.
- All businesses and customers are expected to practice physical distancing.
Increasing the size of public and private gatherings to 30 people
- Other than in an allowable business, the size of public and private gatherings will be increased to a maximum of 30 people.
Phase five
Consider lifting long-term restrictions already described above. Options include limits on the size of public gathering
On May 2, 2020, the Saskatchewan government updated the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan with further information, including:
- guidelines for drive-in or remote worship;
- more information for retail stores;
- clarification for golf course operators;
- information for greenhouse operators;
- guidance on outdoor individual recreational activities; and
- information about parks, campgrounds and fishing access.
Phase 1 of the government’s Re-Open Saskatchewan plan is proceeding as scheduled on May 4, 2020. Phase 1 of the plan provides specific guidelines related to parks and campgrounds, boat launches, fishing and golf courses, and permits previously restricted medical services, including dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, optician services, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment.
The plan’s lifting of restrictions will not apply to the communities of La Loche and Lloydminster, which are currently managing outbreaks of COVID-19 cases.
On May 5, 2020, the Saskatchewan Health Authority announced (PDF) a phased resumption of provincial health care services starting May 19, 2020.
On May 7, 2020, the Saskatchewan Education Response Planning Team announced that in-class learning will not take place until at least September 2020.
The government provided additional guidance on extended households. One or two close families may form an extended household group under the following conditions:
- the families or friends must remain consistent, and people should not visit different families or friends every day;
- household groups should not include households with vulnerable people (i.e., those with chronic health conditions);
- families and friends within an extended household contact group can be closer than 2-metres if they are not high-risk; and
- if household groups contain individuals with chronic health conditions physical distancing of 2-metres should still be practiced around them.
On May 8, 2020, the government added additional information to its Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan. The changes include:
- updates to the guidelines for appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) – page 17;
- updates to the guidelines for drive-in or remote worship services – page 24;
- guidelines for drive-in theatres – page 25;
- guidelines for public markets and farmers markets – page 32;
- updates to the guidelines for clothing and retail operations for thrift stores and businesses that sell second-hand goods – page 36;
- updates to the golf course guidelines – page 42-43; and
- updates to the guidelines about passengers in boats – page 46.
On May 11, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced that the city of Lloydminster may proceed with Phase 2 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan on May 19, 2020.
On May 14, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced golf courses and drive-in theatres will be able to begin operation May 15, 2020, subject to restrictions and the guidance in the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.
Additionally, owners and employees of outfitting operations are now permitted to travel to outfitting camps, including those in the Northern Saskatchewan Administrative District (NSAD), to prepare for the season and secure the premises. These operators must comply with the requirements of the public health order, including the travel restrictions within the NSAD. The Re-Open Saskatchewan plan was amended to add guidelines for outfitting operations (page 48).
Phase 2 of Re-Open Saskatchewan, beginning May 19, 2020, will permit the following operations:
- retail businesses;
- shopping malls;
- select personal services (hairstylist/barber, registered massage therapist, acupuncturist and acupressurist); and
- public markets and farmers markets.
On May 21, 2020, the government announced Phase 3 of its Re-Open Saskatchewan plan is targeted to begin June 8, 2020.
In Phase 3:
- restaurants and licensed establishments will be able to open at 50 percent capacity;
- gyms, fitness facilities, childcare facilities and places of worship will also be able to open for business, subject to guidelines that are being developed; and
- the following personal service businesses will be permitted to provide services: estheticians; tattoo artists; make-up applicators; electrologists; manicurists; pedicurists; tanning parlours; facilities in which body piercing, bone grafting or scarification services are provided; and other personal service facilities.
All businesses that are eligible to reopen must follow the guidelines in the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan and the current public health order.
On May 25, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced that people returning to work can voluntarily be tested for COVID-19. Testing is available to anyone currently working outside the home, or anyone returning to work as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.
On May 29, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced that on June 8, 2020, places of worship, operators of child care facilities, restaurants, licensed establishments, gyms, and fitness facilities can prepare to open as part of Phase 3 of Re-Open Saskatchewan.
In addition to new guidelines around places of worship and operators of child care facilities, the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan has been amended with the following updates:
- COVID-19 workplace information (p. 13);
- guidelines for appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) (p. 14);
- personal care services guidelines (p. 56);
- restaurants and licensed establishments guidelines (p. 40).
On June 1, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced that testing criteria for COVID-19 will be expanded on June 5, 2020 to include:
- those being admitted to acute care for more than 24 hours, including expectant mothers; and
- immunocompromised individuals and their health care providers.
Anyone working outside the home, or anyone returning to work as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, remains eligible for testing.
On June 2, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced that on June 8, 2020, the Village of La Loche will join all other communities in the northwest in Phases 1 and 2 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan. Phase 3 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan is delayed across the northwest region of the province until further notice.
On June 4, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced that starting June 8, 2020, employees returning to work as part of Phase 3 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan will now be offered access to school-based childcare facilities, and childcare facilities can have a maximum of 15 children per designated space. The specific details of the guidelines can be found here.
Also, the following sections of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan were updated:
- guidelines for fitness facilities;
- guidelines for parks and campgrounds; and
- public health orders.
Furthermore, Phase 4 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, which does not yet have an opening date, will be implemented in the following parts: Part I will include the reopening of child and youth day camps and outdoor pools and spray parks; and Part II will include the reopening of indoor pools, indoor rinks, libraries, museums, galleries, movie theatres, casinos and bingo halls.
On June 8, 2020, the government launched Phase 3 of its Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, which includes the following:
- restaurants and licensed establishments are permitted to open at 50 percent capacity;
- personal care services not opened in Phase 2 are permitted to open;
- gyms and other fitness facilities are permitted to open; and
- limits on public and private gatherings are increased to a maximum of 15 indoors and 30 outdoors.
The government also announced that outdoor playgrounds and beaches (including on-site washrooms) can re-open on June 12, 2020.
On June 9, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced that prekindergarten to Grade 12 schools will resume in-classroom learning as early as September 1, 2020. The Ministry of Education will distribute public health guidelines for the 2020-2021 academic year as early as next week.
On June 11, 2020, the government announced that the proposed start date for Phase 4 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan will be confirmed early next week.
In preparation for the first part of Phase 4, the plan was updated with new guidelines for:
- child and youth day camps;
- outdoor pools and splash pads; and
- individual and group outdoor sports and activities.
The plan’s guidelines for group gatherings were also amended as follows:
- the number of people allowed in places of worship is 1/3 of the seating capacity or 150 people – whichever is less; and
- the number of people allowed to attend an outdoor graduation ceremony is 30 graduates per class, with a maximum attendance of 150 people (including graduates, guests and staff members).
On June 16, 2020, the Saskatchewan Chief Medical Health Officer issued a Public Health Order, which includes the following:
- indoor public and private gatherings are limited to 15 people and outdoor public and private gatherings are limited to 30 people, except when:
- people are in multiple rooms or buildings, and workplaces;
- they are operating a critical public service or an allowable business service; and
- 2-metre distancing can be maintained.
- all critical public services or allowable businesses permitted to operate must do so in accordance with any restrictions applicable to their region;
- businesses that are not a critical public service or an allowable business must remain closed, but may make sales online;
- any events and activities provided under the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan must comply with any applicable guideline in the plan; and
- physical distancing measures and other restrictions remain in place.
The Saskatchewan government also announced that the first part of Phase 4 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan is scheduled to commence on June 22, 2020. New permissible activities/operations in the first part of Phase 4 include:
- child and youth day camps;
- outdoor pools and splash pads; and
- outdoor sports and activities.
On June 17, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced that indoor gatherings of up to 30 people will be permitted so long as 2-metre distancing is maintained, effective June 22, 2020.
On June 18, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced the Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy program to help businesses train employees to enhance safety protocols and adjust business models as they re-open.
The program will reimburse eligible private-sector employers for 100% of employee training costs up to a maximum of $10,000 per business to support their safe re-opening. The application deadline is July 31, 2020.
To be eligible, employers must be on the list of critical public services and allowable businesses during the emergency period, or be eligible to resume operations in a confirmed phase of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan. Publicly funded organizations (e.g. health regions, post-secondary training institutions, public libraries, municipalities and school divisions) are not eligible.
A detailed program overview can be viewed here, FAQs can be viewed here, and the application form can be viewed here.
The government also published the Primary and Secondary Educational Institution Guidelines for the resumption of classroom learning in September 2020.
On June 21, 2020, the Saskatchewan Chief Medical Health Officer issued a Public Health Order, effective June 22, 2020, which includes the following Phase 4 aspects in line with the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan:
• indoor public and private gatherings are limited to no more than 30 people and outdoor public and private gatherings are limited to no more than 30 people, except in the following circumstances where 2-meter distancing can be maintained:
• all critical public services or allowable businesses permitted to operate must do so in accordance with any restrictions applicable to their region;
• businesses that are not a critical public service or an allowable business must remain closed, but may make sales online;
• any events and activities provided under the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan must comply with any applicable guideline in the plan; and
• physical distancing measures and other restrictions remain in place.
On June 22, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced that the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission is gradually re-starting services. Beginning this week, journeyperson certification examinations and psychoeducational assessments will be scheduled.
On June 23, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced that the second part of phase 4 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan will begin on June 29, 2020. As of that date, libraries, museums, galleries, movie theatres, and live theatres will be able to re-open. The re-opening dates for the other activities in the second part of phase 4 (e.g. indoor pools, indoor rinks, indoor sports and activities, casinos and bingo halls) will be announced over the next two weeks.
The Re-Open Saskatchewan plan has been updated with guidelines governing the following:
- libraries;
- museums;
- galleries;
- movie and live theatres;
- parks and campgrounds;
- outdoor sports and activities;
- usage of non-medical masks; and
- locker rooms, showers and change rooms.
On June 30, 2020, the government announced additional business operations, events, and activities that will be permitted in the second part of Phase 4 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.
Beginning July 6, 2020:
- indoor pools, indoor rinks, indoor sports and activities, and the performing arts – including music, dance and theatre – will be able to re-open;
- the seating capacity for restaurants and licensed establishments will increase to a level that allows staff and customers to maintain 2-metres of physical distance; and
- video lottery terminals, pool tables, dart boards, arcade games and other recreation areas will also be able to re-open in licensed establishments.
Beginning July 16, 2020, racetracks and rodeo-related activities can resume.
On July 3, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced that its public health order will be amended to expand visitation guidelines to facilities, including acute and long-term care, personal care and group home settings, starting July 7, 2020
On July 7, 2020, the Saskatchewan Chief Medical Health Officer issued a Public Health Order which aligns with the phased lifting of restrictions under the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, and reflects the expanded visitation guidelines for healthcare facilities. Physical distancing measures and other restrictions remain in place.
On July 9, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced that the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan was updated to provide:
- Temporary Food Vendor Guidelines;
- Racing and Rodeo Guidelines;
- Banquet and Conference Facilities Guidelines; and
- Car Show and Trade Show Guidelines.
The government also announced that seating areas are now permitted at drive-in theatres, as well as public and farmers markets, and effective July 16, 2020, live performances will be permitted in restaurants, licensed establishments and at public and farmers markets.
On July 13, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced that COVID-19 testing will be available to anyone on request and regardless of whether they have symptoms, beginning July 14, 2020.
