Masks mandatory across Saskatchewan starting Thursday
November 17, 2020, 2:58 pm
Masks will be required in all indoor public spaces in Saskatchewan starting this Thursday.
The following measures are in effect as of 12:01 am Thursday, November 19, 2020.
They, and all other public health measures, will be in effect until December 17 and then subject to review by the provincial Chief Medical Health Officer.
Enforcement of public health orders is permitted under The Public Health Act, 1994.
Mandatory Masking Province-wide
While the province continues to recommend wearing masks whenever you are outside the home, wearing a non-medical mask will now be required in all indoor public spaces in Saskatchewan.
There is a list of indoor spaces at the bottom if this article may be amended for clarity; however, if you unsure if a location qualifies as an “indoor public space”, defer to wearing the mask – choose the option that promotes public safety.
Masking in school settings is described in the back to school plans as set out by the respective school divisions.
Masking guidance for childcare centres and daycares is described in the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.
Protecting Residents of Long-Term and Personal Care Homes
Visitation to all long-term care facilities and personal care homes will be suspended, with the exception of compassionate reasons as per the current family visitation policy.
This measure is in addition to long-standing protections that have been in place, including mandatory masking of all staff, staff cohorting and symptom screening prior to shift.
Private Indoor Gathering Sizes Reduced
Indoor private gathering sizes are being reduced. The maximum allowable gathering size for private gatherings in the home setting will decrease to five, down from 10. This includes in the home or in buildings located on private property (eg. garages, sheds).
If your immediate family is five or greater, you cannot have additional visitors.
Gatherings of any size beyond your immediate household are strongly discouraged at this time.
Support personnel (ie. therapists, nursing staff) and tradespersons (ie. housekeeper, plumber) are permitted though they should maintain two metre distancing and be masked during service provision. Health care workers not able to maintain physical distancing when providing home care services must wear appropriate PPE.
Any private gathering of more than five people/your immediate household must occur in a public venue (ie. restaurant, community hall), abiding by all applicable guidelines of physical distancing, food service, masking, etc.
Outdoor private gatherings remain at 30 people maximum and only if physical distancing of two metres can be maintained at all times.
Work from Home
COVID-19 transmission continues in workplaces throughout the province. Break the chain of transmission; it is highly recommended that you work from home as much as possible, if your occupation allows. If you are already working at home, you should continue to do so.
Reviewing Hospitality Industry Guidelines
The Ministry of Health will be consulting with the hospitality industry (restaurants, bars, casinos, etc.), on continuing to mitigate the risk of transmission in their sectors. The ministry will consult with the hospitality industry to determine how the guidelines, taken seriously by many, can be enhanced to ensure that the necessary measures are being taken to reduce COVID-19 transmission.
Reviewing Athletic Organization and Recreation Guidelines
The Ministry of Health will be consulting with athletic organizations and gyms on continuing to mitigate the risk of transmission in their sectors. The ministry will consult with athletic organizations and gyms to determine how the guidelines, taken seriously by many, can be enhanced to ensure that the necessary measures are being taken to reduce COVID-19 transmission.
Reviewing Worship Guidelines
The Ministry of Health will be consulting with faith leaders and communities on improving current guidelines for worship services to continue to mitigate the risk of transmission in these settings and how the guidelines, taken seriously by many, can be enhanced to ensure that the necessary measures are being taken to reduce COVID-19 transmission.
Update to Re-Open Saskatchewan for Entertainment Transportation
Entertainment transportation (ie. party buses, group limousines and recreational vehicles) are no longer permitted.
Public places covered by the new mask order
The use of non-medical masks is MANDATORY in most indoor public places. Indoor places could include:
All healthcare facilities
All long-term care, personal care homes and assisted living facilities
Pharmacies
Medical service centres and offices
Retail businesses
Shopping centres and malls
Personal services businesses, such as hair and nail salons, spas, body art facilities, except during services that require removing a mask
Restaurants and bars, except while eating or drinking while seated in designated areas
Places of worship or faith gatherings
Places for cultural or entertainment services or activities, such as movie theatres, arcades, concerts and other performances
Places for sports and recreational activities, such as a gym, ice arena, pool, gymnastic facility, dance facility or indoor court or field facility, except while participating in physical exertion
Places for events, such as conferences and receptions
Municipal, provincial or federal government locations offering services to the public
Common areas of tourist accommodations/hotels, such as lobbies, elevators and hallways
Common areas of office buildings, such as lobbies, elevators and hallways, but not private offices/cubicles
Common areas of condo and apartment buildings, such as lobbies, elevators and hallways, but not the private apartment or condo itself.
Public areas of a university or college campus, such as library or student union building, classrooms, hallways and other common areas, but not labs, offices or residences (dormitories)
Train or bus stations, ferry terminals and airports
Public transport, including cabs, ride share services and carpooling.
The use of non-medical masks is NOT MANDATORY in these locations:
Workplaces to which the public does not have access; unless masks are mandated by the workplace
Private homes and residences except for service workers and visitors
Private areas of long-term care homes, personal care homes, group homes, and assisted living
Private resident areas of communal living, hospitality and workplace accommodations
Public indoor areas when eating or drinking while seated or in designated area
The following people are exempt from the use of non-medical masks:
Children under 2 years of age
Anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance
Persons actively engaged in physical exercise
