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:
A POV 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:
Event and entertainment venues including:
Businesses or organizations exempt from this order include:
Proof of Vaccination
Businesses and organizations have several options for checking acceptable proof of vaccination. These include:
More information for business owner/operator/managers is available online at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-information-for-businesses-and-workers.
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.
A current list of locations and labs offering testing services is available at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/testing-information/where.
COVID-19 vaccinations remain the best defense to prevent serious illness and hospitalizations. The Saskatchewan Health Authority and pharmacies throughout the province continue to provide vaccination clinics. To find a clinic near you go to www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-vaccine.
Enforcement of Public Health Orders
With the recent implementation of proof of vaccination/proof of negative testing requirements in the province, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) and the Ministry of Health are adding resources and personnel to support Public Health Inspectors (PHIs). This will re-establish a team of trained individuals to assist in awareness, education and compliance of the current public health order.
These personnel will not be conducting inspections but will assist in responding to complaints of non-compliance with Public Health Orders. Once complaints are substantiated through investigation, members of this team may use their discretion to determine if a ticket will be issued or if education is enough to ensure that people are following the PHOs.
This team operated throughout the previous emergency order to assist in compliance with public health orders.
The public can continue to log their inquiries at 1-855-559-5502