Saskatchewan's Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab will issue a new public health order which will take effect Oct. 30. The order will contain restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19 on the province. (File photo/CKOM News Staff)

By paNOW Staff

Preventing Further Cases

Province issues new restrictions on nightclubs to slow COVID-19 spread

Oct 28, 2020 | 3:15 PM

A new public health order which will include stronger restrictions on nightclubs will be issued today and are set to take effect Oct. 30. This is due to the increase in COVID-19 cases across Saskatchewan.

According to the order, all nightclubs in Saskatchewan must adhere to the following:

• Six patrons to a table only
• Static table groupings – no mingling among groups/tables.
• Karaoke and dance floors remain prohibited.
• Business owners and operators must ensure physical distancing within their establishments.
• As outlined in the Reopen Saskatchewan Guidelines, mask use is required for staff. It is strongly encouraged for patrons until they are seated.

The following is recommended for all establishments:

• Bars/nightclubs/licensed establishments are recommended to take names and contact information of all patrons to assist contact tracing in the event of possible transmission.

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“We obviously had the three outbreaks in bars, nightclubs-style venues in Saskatoon, and those were investigated,” Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said in Wednesday’s press conference. “We have seen that bars and restaurants, in general, have been very diligent with the guidelines and it’s been fairly low risk…when you go to a table, have your food and drinks served, then leave and don’t mingle. But in those settings when that is not happening, that becomes an issue. That’s why the order was issued.”

If there is conflict between the Re-Open Saskatchewan Guidelines and the Public Health Order conflict, the requirements under the Public Health Order are to be followed. Owners/event planners/hosts are encouraged to reach out to the Business Response Team for advice if they have further questions.

Business Response Team:

Phone: 1-844-800-8688
Email: supportforbusiness@gov.sk.ca
Website: www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-businesses

Establishments that serve liquor in Saskatoon and across the province are urged to remain vigilant in their compliance with the Public Health Order and the Reopen Saskatchewan Guidelines.

The province is also reminding businesses and individuals that activities that do not follow public health orders or Reopen Guidelines have been shown to become possible ‘superspreader’ events. Hosts and businesses can be fined under the Public Health Act.

The latest COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, as of Oct. 28. (submitted photo/SHA)

Latest cases

Today, the province has recorded 67 new cases of COVID-19, and 15 recoveries.

The provincial total is now at 2,908 cases.

The new cases are located in the North West (seven), North Central (seven), North East (11), Saskatoon (25), Regina (15), and South East (two) zones, and the one case from yesterday pending location was assigned to the North Central zone.

There are public health investigations underway to determine the source of transmission for all new cases. There are 666 active cases.

There are 20 people in hospital with 14 receiving inpatient care. Four of those patients are in the North zone, nine are in the Saskatoon zone and one is in the Regina zone.

There are six people in intensive care with one in the North Central zone, four in Saskatoon and one in Regina.

Of the total cases, 355 are travellers, 1,436 are community contacts (including mass gatherings), 745 have no known exposures, and 372 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in the province, 91 cases are healthcare workers (although not all were sourced from work) and 580 cases involve people 19 and under.

There are 1,038 cases in the 20 to 39 age range, 824 are in the 40 to 59 age range, 386 in the 60 to 79 age range, and 80 are in the 80-plus age range.

Fifty-one per cent of cases are females and 49 per cent are males.

There have been 25 COVID-19 related deaths reported to date.

There are:

• 690 cases from the Saskatoon area
• 563 cases from the north area (182 north west, 257 north central, 124 north east)
• 491 cases from the south area (228 south west, 211 south central, 52 south east)
• 436 cases from the far north area (382 far north west, 0 far north central, 54 far north east)
• 369 cases from the central area (196 central west, 173 central east)
• 357 cases from the Regina area
• Two cases have pending residence location

To date, the province has performed 256,082 COVID-19 tests. Yesterday there were 2,410 tests performed. The daily record amount of tests is 3,431, not 3,434 as previously reported.

For a more detailed view, visit the province’s COVID-19 dashboard here.

The latest COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan as of Oct. 28. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

Halloween

If you are going to participate in Halloween activities, you are urged to do so safely. You are asked not to attend or host large events that exceed gathering size limits as outlined in the Reopen Saskatchewan Guidelines.

It is strongly recommended that if you plan to go to a nightclub, bar or licensed restaurant that you visit one location only. Pub crawls are not recommended.

If you attend private gatherings that exceed capacity limits, you may be subject to a $2,000 fine.

For further guidelines on Trick-Or-Treating, visit the province’s website here.

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow