(File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

Gatherings limited to 10 people in Saskatchewan, further businesses to close to prevent virus transmission

Mar 25, 2020 | 2:28 PM

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, there are new changes coming into effect for businesses and gatherings are now limited to 10 people maximum.

“As we impose further restrictions to fight the spread of COVID-19, we know this creates challenges for businesses in Saskatchewan and we know that providing as much clarity as possible is important,” Premier Scott Moe said. “We are already seeing the creation of a social distancing economy in Saskatchewan as many businesses adapt their service delivery to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Allowable business services

A list of critical public services and businesses was created to determine which can continue to operate.

To maintain service to the public and industry to prevent supply chain disruption the following will continue operating: health care and public health workers; law enforcement, public safety and first responders; production, processing and manufacturing and the supporting supply chains; transportation and logistics; government and community services; media and telecommunications; construction including maintenance and repair; select retail services; and banking and financial services.

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Effective tomorrow, March 26, the following business services are no longer able to provide public-facing services. While those closures will effect storefronts, it doesn’t preclude services from different expansion opportunities, such as online retailing, or providing pick-up or delivery services, the province said.

Examples of those business services prohibited from providing public-facing services includes: clothing stores; shoe stores; flower shops; sporting good and adventure stores; vaping supply shops; boats, ATV, or snowmobile retailers; gift, book, or stationary stores; jewelry and accessory stores; toy stores; music, electronic and entertainment stores; pawn shops; and travel agencies.

These closures are in addition to the business services that were ordered to close on March 23, which include: 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.

Personal service facilities including tattooists, hairdressers, barbers, acupuncturists, acupressurists, cosmetologists, electrologists, estheticians, manicurists, pedicurists, suntanning parlours, relaxation masseuses, facilities performing body piercing, bone grafting or scarification services.

All recreational and entertainment facilities including fitness centers, casinos, bingo halls, arenas, curling rinks, swimming pools, galleries, theatres, museums and similar facilities.

Dental, optometrist, chiropractic, registered massage therapy and podiatry clinics except for non-elective procedures.

Business supports

The Government of Saskatchewan will have a financial support program for employers and employees impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. To learn more click here.

Gatherings Restricted

Effective tomorrow, public and private gatherings of more than 10 people in one room is prohibited. There will be exceptions if two metre distancing can be maintained in locations including workplaces and meeting locations where people are in various rooms or buildings and in essential retail locations.

Social distancing at work

To prevent transmission of the virus, workplaces must ensure all occupational health and safety protocols are up to date and in force.

Personal protective measures should be in effect for workers to prevent transmission.

According to the province:

All travellers returning from international destinations – including the U.S. – are subject to a mandatory self-isolation order. Anyone identified by a Medical Health Officers as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 shall go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from the date of having been exposed. Exempted are truckers, airline, rail, and work crews that are required to work in order to maintain business continuity and are supervised by Infection Prevention and Control Officers or Occupational Health and Safety in the workplace.

• Actively monitor for symptoms. At the first sign of cough, immediately self-isolate for 14 days.

• Practice physical distancing in the workplace. Maintain a two metre separation between individuals.

• Wash your hands often. Cough/sneeze into your elbow or tissue and wash your hands immediately.

Stay home if you are ill. Unsure about your symptoms? Use the self-assessment tool at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 to determine if you should contact HealthLine 811.

–

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow