Today, Premier Scott Moe and Chief Medical Officer for Saskatchewan, Dr. Saqib Shahab, unveiled the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan that will set the framework for how Saskatchewan’s economy will be gradually, methodically and cautiously re-opened so that more Saskatchewan people can safely return to work.

The Re-Open Saskatchewan plan introduces five phases to re-open businesses and services across the province, beginning May 4, 2020. The plan also details physical distancing measures and restrictions that will remain in place throughout the five phases and provides a number of factors to inform decisions regarding the lifting of long-term restrictions. The timing and order of the businesses and workplaces included in each phase is subject to change throughout the process based on a continuous assessment of transmission patterns and other factors.

Phase One – Beginning May 4, 2020

  • The first phase of the plan includes the re-opening of medical services restricted under the current public health order, and the resumption of low-risk outdoor recreational activities, including fishing and boat launches, golf courses and a fixed date for parks and campgrounds.  The size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people.
  • On May 4, public access to medical services will be reinstated, including access to dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, opticians, podiatry, occupational therapy, and chiropractic treatment.  When it is not possible to physically distance, providers will be required to take precautionary measures as outlined by the Chief Medical Health Officer.
  • Low-risk outdoor recreational activities will be allowable with precautionary measures, including fishing and boat launches (May 4), golfing with physical distancing guidelines (May 15) and a fixed date (June 1) and clear guidelines for the operation of parks and campgrounds.

Phase Two – May 19, 2020

  • The second phase of the plan includes the May 19 re-opening of retail businesses and select personal services that were previously not deemed allowable.
  • The size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people.
  • A full list of retail businesses and select personal services that will be deemed allowable in phase two is included in the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, along with guidance, protocols, and physical distancing measures that allowable businesses and services are required to observe.

Phase Three – Date To Be Determined

  • The third phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19 and does not have a pre-determined date.  The third phase will include the re-opening of remaining personal services, along with the re-opening of restaurant-type facilities, gyms and fitness facilities, licensed establishments, and childcare facilities.  Capacity limits will remain in some facilities, such as limits to 50 per cent of regular capacity for restaurants and licensed establishments.
  • All businesses and customers will be expected to maintain physical distancing practices, guidelines, and recommendations.
  • Other than in allowable businesses, the size of public and private gatherings will increase to a maximum of 15 people.

Phase Four – Date To Be Determined

  • The fourth phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19 and does not have a pre-determined date.  The fourth phase will include the re-opening of indoor and outdoor recreation and entertainment facilities.
  • All businesses and customers will be expected to maintain physical distancing practices, guidelines, and recommendations.
  • Other than in allowable businesses, the size of public and private gatherings will increase to a maximum of 30 people.

Phase Five – Date To Be Determined

  • The fifth phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19 and the preceding four phases, and will include the consideration of lifting long-term restrictions.

A number of long-term measures and restrictions that are related to the highest risk areas will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

These long-term restrictions include:

  • Maintaining the current Provincial State of Emergency;
  • Recommendations against non-essential international and interprovincial travel;
  • Mandatory 14-day self-isolation following international travel, exposure to COVID-19, or a positive COVID-19 test;
  • Visitor restrictions limited to compassionate reasons at long-term care homes, hospitals, personal care homes and group homes;
  • The suspension of classes in all primary and secondary educational institutions, both public and private; and
  • Large public gatherings remain prohibited.

Re-Open Saskatchewan does not include service delivery plans for the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Resumption of elective surgeries, diagnostics and other non-essential procedures currently suspended as part of the COVID-19 system response will be considered separately, with updates on that plan coming in the near future.

NDP Statement

NDP Opposition Leader Ryan Meili issued a statement ahead of the release of Premier Moe’s Re-open Saskatchewan plan, saying his party wants to see a COVID-19 plan that puts the focus on people. Some of Meili’s suggestions include:

  • Introduce Sask-First policies, so that when we build our schools, our highways, and our hospitals, we build them with our companies and our workers.
  • Put our Crown corporations to work, and put Saskatchewan people to work for our Crowns, building rural high-speed internet and renewable energy.
  • Re-invest in frontline care, expand home care, and properly staff long-term care.
  • Make sure that we don’t leave Saskatchewan workers with the lowest minimum wage in Canada any longer. They deserve a decent living for the essential work they do.

What does this all mean

The Saskatchewan Government’s release of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan marks a significant turning point in the COVID-19 crisis within the province. The focus now shifts from managing health care issues to managing the economic effects associated with the pandemic. The phased-in plan sets out an ambitious but cautious approach to establishing a return to a new normal and allows businesses, schools, and other industries to plan for the future. The plan’s five phases, without setting hard dates in the latter stages, allows business to begin to develop their own strategies and put plans in place for the materials, office set-up, and staffing they will need once their operations are allowed to open.

While this is a good news announcement, there are some other issues the provincial government will need to address over the next few weeks and months. They will need to look at the provincial budget and be prepared to make adjustments in various areas to stimulate the economy as it recovers. It will require the government to potentially be less risk adverse and more willing to take some chances on new policy ideas and regulatory changes that will help stimulate the economy.

To read the Government of Saskatchewan News Release, please click here.

To read the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, please click here.