Fast food restaurants in Sask to require proof of vaccination
New rules take effect Monday impact sitting down to eat at a fast-food restaurant
October 15, 2021, 1:01 pm
A new Public Health Order will come into effect at 12:01 Monday October 18 that will add some businesses and retail outlets now requiring Proof of Vaccination or Negative Test for public access.
New Additions to the Public Health Order Now Requiring POV or Negative Test
Proof of vaccination or a negative test will be required at point of entry to access:
Seated dining in all restaurants including fast food restaurants;
Liquor manufacturers conducting retail liquor sales; and
Liquor stores with an integrated permit that also hold a liquor restaurant or tavern permit.
Previously, fast food restaurants were entirely exempt, even if people sat to eat their food. The government clarified Friday that the requirement for proof of vaccination at fast food restaurants would not extend to consessions at rinks or other recreation facilities. "Concessions at rinks will be treated as take-away and not be required to check for proof of vaccination or negative test," the provincial government told the World-Spectator.
A Proof of Vaccination or negative test will not be required for food pick-up or delivery, at food courts or for entering a premises to use the washroom.
This order will replace the Public Health Order that came into effect at 12:01 October 1 which outlined businesses and organizations that are required to request proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test in order to access the venue. In addition to the changes above, the order applies primarily to non-essential businesses such as:
Restaurants, including restaurants in hotels or other lodgings;
Nightclubs, bars, taverns, and manufacturer hospitality suites, buses and other establishments and transportation licensed by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority for the sale and service of alcohol;
Liquor stores that have been issued standalone retail store permits issued by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority; and
Cannabis stores that have been issued standalone retail store permits by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.
Event and entertainment venues including:
conference centres, meeting rooms and banquet facilities, except when being used for the purposes of a court or tribunal proceeding;
theatres;
cinemas;
bingo halls, casinos and other gaming establishments;
concerts;
live-music venues;
fitness centres and gyms; and
facilities hosting sporting events where tickets are required that have GST charged on the ticket.
Businesses or organizations exempt from this order include:
retail businesses including grocery stores;
businesses holding an integrated liquor retail store permit that do not also hold a tavern or restaurant permit issued by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority;
businesses holding an integrated cannabis retail store permit issued by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority;
places of worship (including weddings/funerals/wakes);
personal services, health care services, professional services;
public libraries;
hotels or lodging including self-serve food options located within the hotel or other lodging;
facilities hosting amateur sporting events, including youth athletics and recreational leagues;
private gatherings at public venues (weddings/funerals/wakes/meetings); and
private gatherings at private residences.
Proof of Vaccination
Businesses and organizations have several options for checking acceptable proof of vaccination. These include:
A QR code/MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificate either printed or on the patron's mobile device as a screenshot or in SK Vax Wallet;
A printed hard copy of MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificate with or without a QR code;
Wallet cards issued at the time of vaccinations; and
A COVID-19 vaccination printout from Saskatchewan Health Authority Public Health.
Proof of a Negative Test
Individuals who do not have proof of vaccination have the option of providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test result from within the previous 72 hours.
A self-administered take-home rapid antigen test will not be accepted as valid proof of negative COVID-19 results and the SHA is no longer supporting testing for asymptomatic individuals at the public testing sites, preserving resources to test symptomatic and other at-risk populations.
The cost for all proof of negative test results for asymptomatic testing will be the responsibility of the individual. Individuals requiring a negative test result have several private options on the market that will provide a rapid antigen test or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for a fee.
