News releases from the Government of Saskatchewan
Tuesday, November 3, 2020 – COVID-19 Update: 81 New Cases, 28 in Hospital, 97 Recoveries
There are 81 new cases of COVID-19 to report in Saskatchewan on November 3, 2020, bringing the provincial total to date to 3,373 cases (842 are considered active). The new cases are located in the Far North West (1), Far North East (1), North West (14), North Central (16), North East (3), Saskatoon (29), Central East (6) and Regina (10) zones.
Public Health Orders to Reduce Gathering Sizes, Mandatory Masking in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert
As of 12:01 am Friday, November 6, the public health orders will be amended, enhancing measures to address increasing COVID-19 case rates in the province of Saskatchewan. Transmission trends in rural and smaller centres has been linked primarily to private gatherings while transmission in the urban areas includes both private gatherings and exposures in public spaces.
Indoor Gathering Sizes Reduced
The maximum allowable gathering size for private gatherings in the home setting will decrease to 10, down from 15. This maximum allowable size includes those household members who ordinarily reside in the dwelling. Any event that occurs in a private dwelling and any outbuildings (garages, etc.) including weddings, religious gathering and funerals must abide by the 10 person gathering limit.
The 10 person limit does not apply to households with more than 10 family members living in the same residence.
If you are planning any gathering larger than 10, you must host the gathering in a public venue (restaurant, banquet hall, etc.) and abide by the guidelines that apply to that location. Restaurants, licensed establishments, banquet halls as well as weddings, funerals and religious gatherings which are all required to follow seating and physical distancing guidelines as described in the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan at www.saskatchewan.ca/re-open.
Mandatory Masking Required in Indoor Public Places in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert
All residents are required to wear non-medical masks when in indoor public spaces (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/public-health-measures/guidance-on-homemade-masks), as listed at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert. This public health order will be in place for 28 days, then subject to review by the chief medical health officer.
Enforcement is permitted under the Public Health Act; however, compliance through education is the primary preference of public health. Public health will closely monitor compliance and encourage all individuals, businesses and organizations to abide by the masking order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Enforcement options will be considered based on observed compliance with the order.
For all communities, health officials strongly recommend wearing a non-medical mask anywhere outside the home as an additional measure to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Non-medical or cloth masks can play an important role in settings where physical distancing is not possible or is unpredictable.
All residents are continue to reduce their close contacts and return to safe outings:
- Identify a single member of the household to do grocery shopping, run errands.
- Limits those errands to once per week.
- If you are working from home, ensure that your workplace will continue to support you to do so.
Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Available in Yorkton, Regina and Saskatoon
The Saskatchewan Health Authority has established a drive-thru COVID testing site for Yorkton, in addition to the drive-thru options in Regina and Saskatoon:
| Yorkton
276 Myrtle Avenue Monday to Friday 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
|
Regina
International Trade Centre at Evraz Place – Hall C, 1700 Elphinstone Street Sunday to Saturday – 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
|
Saskatoon
3630 Thatcher Avenue Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – 12 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays – 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
|
A valid Saskatchewan Health Card will be required for each person getting tested. A Canadian Armed Forces number or Interim Federal Health identification will also be accepted. Individuals from out of province will require a valid provincial health card from their province of residence.
You will be required to wear a mask during the registration process.
The drive-thru sites will be first come, first served so there may be some wait times. You must wait in your vehicle. There are no public washrooms available at these sites.
A referral for testing can be made by contacting HealthLine 811, your physician or nurse practitioner. If you require urgent care, call 911.
Further information on testing, including drive-thru testing locations, is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-testing.
