Sask. government resists health officials' calls to reinstate some COVID-19 protocols
Medical health officers (MHOs) issued a series of recommendations to the Government of Saskatchewan on how best to address rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
Those recommendations went largely unmentioned by the premier and health officials during the province’s first live COVID-19 update in nearly two months.
As Saskatchewan reported its highest seven-day average of daily new cases since May 3 on Monday, with 19 per 100,000 people, senior medical health officer Dr. Cory Neudorf issued recommendations to the province on behalf of the Saskatchewan MHOs.
The experts urged the province to reinstate mandatory masking in indoor public spaces, mandatory isolation of cases and close contacts, require proof of vaccination for provincial and municipal government employees and entry to nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and other recreational venues.
During Monday’s virtual news conference, Premier Scott Moe echoed statements made by Health Minister Paul Merriman last week, who said the government will neither reinstate COVID-19 restrictions nor will it enforce vaccine requirements as the province battles the pandemic’s fourth wave.
Officials announced Monday they will roll out a proof of COVID-19 vaccination document and begin delivering booster shots on Sept. 7.
It will remain up to individual businesses and venues to mandate proof of vaccination.
Frontline health care workers will also be asked to provide proof of vaccination or undergo regular testing. The details of the plan are still under development, the province said.
Moe continued to push back against the idea of implementing the virus-related protocols recommended by the MHOs, saying policy proposals need to be “operable”.
“It's not implementing the heavy hand of government on citizens if you will, nor do I think that is the appropriate fashion for government to act,” Moe said.
“This is a much more collaborative approach and we feel it will have every success as the implemented approach.”
The province’s chief medical health officer said he hopes that responsible decisions are being made on the individual level to slow the spread of the virus.
“Going forward [individuals] have to adjust when we see trends, right now we are seeing a surge mostly in the far north and Saskatoon so obviously there may be a more consistent increase in mask use in crowded spaces,” Shahab theorized.
“We hope vaccine uptake increases and we know people for the most part are adjusting how they behave.”
Shahab said he is confident that individuals are adjusting their habits based on increasing case numbers, like reintroducing mask use and limiting social gatherings.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Australian police arrest 7 alleged teen extremists linked to stabbing of a bishop in a Sydney church
Australian police arrested seven teenagers accused of following a violent extremist ideology in raids across Sydney on Wednesday, as a judge extended a ban on social media platform X sharing video of a knife attack on a bishop that started the criminal investigation.