More restrictions are being put in place to help stop the spread of novel coronavirus.
Effective Friday, all international travelers returning to Saskatchewan must self-isolate for 14-days.
The majority of COVID-19 cases in the province are international travel related.
This order comes under new government powers through emergency measures legislation and could carry a $2000 fine if broken.
Premier Scott Moe said he believes most residents are taking the coronavirus seriously and he hopes people are not prosecuted or arrested and simply self-isolate.
Moe said police will monitor enforcement, but that this measure is needed to protect health. “14-days self-isolation does largely address this virus coming into Saskatchewan. It largely addresses the ability to flatten the curve in the early days,” said Moe.
“I know that the vast majority of Saskatchewan people are taking their personal responsibility seriously and following this order. But a few are not. This is not a suggestion. It is not a guideline. It is the law and it must be followed.” Essential service workers are exempt from this order.
Effective today:
Public gatherings of more than 25 people in one room are prohibited except where two metre distancing between people can be maintained; workplace and meeting settings where people are distributed into multiple rooms or buildings; and retail locations (ie. grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations).
The closure of all nightclubs, bars, lounges and similar facilities. Take out of alcohol or food products so permitted with two metre distancing between customers and the delivery of alcohol or food products.
In-person classes in all primary and secondary educational institutions both public and private are suspended.
Visitors to long-term care homes, hospitals, personal care homes, and group homes shall be restricted to family visiting for compassionate reasons.
As of Monday March 23,
The closure of restaurants, food courts, cafeterias, cafes, bistros and similar facilities. Exceptions are take out with two metre distancing between customers during pick-up; drive through food services; delivery of food products; soup kitchens, not-for-profit community and religious kitchens with two metre distancing between tables.
The closure of all recreational and entertainment facilities including fitness centers, casinos, bingo halls, arenas, curling rinks, swimming pools, galleries, theatres, museums and similar facilities.
The closure of all personal service facilities including tattooists, hairdressers, barbers, acupuncturists, acupressurists, cosmetologists, electrologists, estheticians, manicurists, pedicurists, suntanning parlours, relaxation masseuses, facilities in which body piercing, bone grafting or scarification services.
The closure of dental, optometrist, chiropractic, registered massage therapy and podiatry clinics except for non-elective procedures.
All daycare facilities are limited to maximum of eight children unless they can configure the facility so that a maximum of eight children are kept in room and be in accordance with the Saskatchewan child care guidelines for care.
All daycares that are co-located with a long-term care or personal care home that meet the above restriction shall be segregated with a private entrance so that there are no shared common areas with the home and no interaction between daycare children and residents of the facility.
The province has six new presumptive cases of COVID-19. Five related to international travel. Four of the cases are located in Regina, while a couple in their 60’s from Prince Albert returned from holiday in Arizona. The new total is now 26 cases.