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Mandatory masking, vaccine passports coming to Saskatchewan
Saskatoon / 650 CKOM
CKOM News
Sep 16, 2021 | 12:15 PM
Just over two months after dropping all COVID-19 public health measures — and with new and active cases increasing at a high rate — Saskatchewan is bringing back one measure and instituting another.
During a media conference Thursday, Premier Scott Moe said the province will again be making masks mandatory in indoor public spaces as of Friday.
The province also will require proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID test to access some businesses, establishments and event venues in the province as of Oct. 1.
When that policy takes effect, the masking mandate is expected to be removed.
As well, all employees of government ministries, Crown corporations and agencies will have to get vaccinated, with proof of full vaccination required by Oct. 1. If they can’t be vaccinated, they’ll have to provide consistent proof of negative tests.
Moe noted the government and the Saskatchewan Health Authority did all they could to get people to get vaccinated, even going door to door in some communities to make the vaccine accessible.
For the premier, the fact that more than 20 per cent of the province’s population has yet to get immunized made Thursday’s announcement necessary.
“We have remained patient as a government and we have exhausted all of these avenues because we know how effective vaccines can be when people choose to take one,” Moe said. “But today that patience has come to an end.
“If you are unvaccinated and living in Saskatchewan, it’s now time to get your shot. The vast majority of Saskatchewan people that have done the right thing, quite frankly they are tired of those that have chosen not to and that is what is now driving the fourth wave in this province.”
Moe defended the timing of the announcement, saying the government and SHA have made decisions based on information they had at that time.
