(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

covid-19

Stricter public health measures starting Thursday

Dec 14, 2020 | 4:11 PM

The Government of Saskatchewan will be implementing new public health measures on Dec. 17, 19 and 25. It says COVID-19 cases continue to cause significant, on-going community transmission and are increasing pressure on health care services. However, the opposition New Democrats have labelled the measures too little, too late.

The province’s chief medical health officer suggested certain elements of transmission have been observed that are cause for concern and so stricter measures will be brought in in the coming 11 days.

“Re-open Saskatchewan guidelines have been effective at reducing transmission in those settings where we have implemented measures like restaurants and retail settings,” Saskatchewan Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said in the media release Monday. “It’s the in-between places, the social settings, where COVID-19 transmission is happening. In our breakrooms and staff rooms, by inviting new people into our homes, we are letting our guard down.

“We can still celebrate the holiday season. After a difficult year, it’s more important than ever to connect with loved ones but it must be done at a safe distance or virtually. Share time with friends and family but keep everyone safe.”

Speaking at a media conference Monday afternoon Premier Scott Moe said the measures were a tough call to make but they were needed to stop the spread of the virus as soon as possible.

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“Let’s keep the finish line in our sights. If we all work together we will be able to manage the challenges of COVID-19 over the course of the next number of weeks,” he said.

Orders extended

The new orders are in addition to those implemented on Nov. 27 and all measures will be in effect until Jan. 15, 2021. They will then be reviewed by Dr. Shahab.

The orders for licensed establishments such as fitness, sports, dance, mandatory masking and places of worship will continue. Officials also recommend working from home when possible.

Public health also recommends one member from the household do shopping and limit it to essential items.

Non-essential travel is also still discouraged.

Private indoor gatherings

On Thursday Dec. 17 new measures will be in effect as of 12:01 a.m.

Changes will be made to private indoor gatherings such as they will be limited to immediate household members only. A single person will be able to meet with one consistent household of less than five people for the rest of the order. Co-parenting arrangements will continue and caregivers and support services in homes can continue.

Outdoor gatherings will also see a change in which people will be able to meet outdoors up to 10 people only where physical distancing can be maintained.

Casinos and bingo halls closing Saturday

New orders will be in effect as of Saturday Dec.19 which includes the closure of all casinos and bingo halls.

In addition, personal care services can only operate at 50 per cent capacity of staff and clients. The services include hairdressers, barbers, massage therapy, esthetics, acupuncture, tattooing, etc.

Event venues will be permitted to continue but with a capacity limitation. Event venues, arenas, conference facilities, art venues, movie theatres, museums and banquet facilities can operate with 30 individuals max.

Weddings and funeral ceremonies as well as places of worship is 30 people only and concurrent services may not occur within multiple locations within one facility.

Retail orders from Christmas Day

New measures for retail services will be in effect as of 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 25.

All retail services will have to reduce capacity to 50 per cent and large retail locations will have to limit capacity to 25 per cent.

Large retail locations are described as a square footage larger than 20,000 sq. ft.

The full media release can be seen here.

New Democrats denounce ‘half measures’

In response to the latest moves, the opposition NDP said it showed the government’s half measures announced in November had failed, “but it’s clear they plan to carry down the path of too little too late.

“We have schools closing early while bars and restaurants remain open. Family gatherings have been effectively reduced to zero – unless you meet for drinks or dinner or rent a hall. Small businesses are left with the worst of both worlds: told to stay open while their customers are urged to stay home,” leader Ryan Meili said in a media release.

He added, in part, the new retail measures do not come into effect until Christmas Day, when they will have the least effect on the spread of the virus.

“One wonders why, if these measures aren’t necessary now at the busiest time of the year, Scott Moe sees them as necessary at all?” Meili said.

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With files from CKOM.

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow