Public health orders – including mandatory masking – could lift as early as July 11 in Sask.
The Saskatchewan government has updated its reopening plan to include a COVID-19 vaccination threshold that would trigger the removal of all remaining public health orders, including the mask mandate and gathering limits.
The government says it will lift public health orders three weeks after 70 per cent of people age 12 and older have received their first dose – and at least three weeks after the beginning of Step Two.
If that threshold is reached by June 20, the province says all restrictions could be lifted by July 11.
“We’ve had the public health orders in place in this province for 445 days. They could all be removed in just a little over a month if enough of us choose to go out and get vaccinated,” said Premier Scott Moe.
This update is in addition to the original Step Three threshold, which will be triggered when 70 per cent of people 18 and older get their first shot.
Step Three would see most public health measures lifted, but gathering limits and mandatory masking will stay in place until the next target – 70 per cent of those age 12 and older – is met.
As of Tuesday, 66 per cent of those age 18 and older have received the first shot, and 62 per cent of people age 12 and older have their first dose.
The government says that while masks will no longer be required under the public health order, people may still wear masks based on their own comfort level and requirements may be in effect in workplaces at the discretion of owners.
The premier drew parallels to the U.S., where large crowds at sporting events – like the Indy 500 – have been allowed as 60 per cent of Americans have received their first dose, according to Moe, where as Saskatchewan currently sits at 62 per cent.
“The U.S. has moved forward with their reopening plan much faster than we have in Saskatchewan – and with lower vaccination rates – and their case numbers continue to fall,” said Moe. “Here, we are taking a more cautious approach with a higher level of vaccinations required.”
Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province’s chief medical health officer, said Saskatchewan’s in a good spot.
“I think we are increasingly confident that as long as we keep our case numbers low, comply with our public health measures for the next six weeks…and of course go as high as we can in our first dose and that second dose, I think the outlook looks really good,” said Dr. Shahab.
When asked if the government had given any consideration to waiting to drop all restrictions until more people have their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the premier said he believes the second dose strategy enabled the province to lift the public health measures.
“If you look out to July 11, we’ll be well, well into making those doses available to Saskatchewan people by that point in time,” said Moe.
According to the province’s second-dose strategy, people age 45 and older – or those who got their first dose on or before April 15 – will be eligible for their second on June 21.
Everyone who gets their first dose on or before June 28 will be eligible for their second shot by July 26.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.