Premier Scott Moe announcing the State of Emergency on March 18, 2020. (submitted photo/Government of Saskatchewan)

By paNOW Staff

Government of Saskatchewan declares State of Emergency

Mar 18, 2020 | 3:13 PM

The Government of Saskatchewan has declared a State of Emergency as concerns over the spread of COVID-19 pandemic grow and the number of cases in the province doubled from eight to 16 overnight.

“There is no health system in the world that can manage this virus if we’re not able to practice social distancing or flatten the curve,” _{Health Minister Jim Reiter.}

According to a media release, the announcement provides the government with broad powers to address the pandemic.

“This includes measures like the ability to limit travel to or from a community or region of the province and directing that property or equipment be deployed to address the COVID-19 pandemic,” a release from the province said.

In a press conference with Premier Scott Moe, Health Minister Jim Reiter and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab, all three emphasized the importance of maintaining social distancing as the virus continues to spread through community transmission.

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“There is no health system in the world that can manage this virus if we’re not able to practice social distancing or flatten the curve,” Health Minister Jim Reiter said.

The government and the Chief Medical Officer have made a few orders to keep people safe in Saskatchewan and to prevent the spread of the virus.

The following measures are effective immediately:

• Public gatherings larger than 50 people are prohibited.

• All restaurants, bars and event venues must limit their seating to 50 per cent of capacity or up to a maximum of fifty people, whichever is lesser. All must be able to ensure social distance of one to two metres between customers. Retail spaces including grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations are exempted from this policy but must have processes to maintain a one to two-metre separation.

• All gyms, fitness centres, casinos and bingo halls are ordered to close until further notice.

• Residents are advised to limit any non-essential travel outside of Saskatchewan, with the exception of people who live in border communities and are commuting for work.

• Any licensed restaurants and taverns in Saskatchewan will be permitted to sell alcohol as an offsale according to SLGA regulations indefinitely.

• All Crown utilities will implement bill-deferral programs allowing a zero-interest bill deferral for up to six months for Saskatchewan residents whose ability to make bill payments may be impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions.

• All Government of Saskatchewan ministries, agencies and Crown corporations will implement a phased-in work from home policy effective Monday, March 23, applicable to employees deemed non-essential. This means that any employees able to work from home should do so immediately, while providing managers a period to plan for work-force continuity.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) will be discontinuing all non-urgent/elective surgeries, procedures and diagnostics as of March 23. This action will allow the SHA the ability to redeploy nurses and other staff and ensure medical supplies and personal protective equipment are available when needed and reduce risk of further exposure to our care providers and patients.

The SHA will continue to provide services to patients who require emergent and urgent care. Cancer, urgent and emergent surgeries will continue as planned. Patients will be contacted regarding their scheduled service.

Parents with children in daycares should prepare for further restrictions.

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow