(File photo/paNOW News)

By CKOM News

MASK MANDATE

Sask. mask, isolation mandate extended until the end of November

Oct 20, 2021 | 9:01 AM

The Saskatchewan government has opted to extend public health measures requiring people to wear a mask in indoor public spaces and to continue isolating after testing positive for COVID-19.

Masks were reintroduced on Sept. 17 due to spiking COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan. The public health order requiring masks was set to expire on Wednesday, but chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab signed a new order posted to the province’s website Tuesday afternoon extending it until Nov. 30.

“The transmission of the infectious agent SARS-CoV-2, which has caused cases and outbreaks of a serious communicable disease known as COVID-19 among the population of the Province of Saskatchewan, is a serious public health threat,” the document posted online said.

Masks are mandatory in all public indoor spaces, including places of a business restricted to staff only.

Masks aren’t required for gatherings in private homes or living spaces, and children participating in sports also do not have to wear a mask while taking part in their activity.

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“This order is necessary in order to reduce the burden on Saskatchewan’s health care system, enable essential services to continue, and to reduce serious illness and overall deaths as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the document continued.

The same public health order also requires people who test positive for COVID-19 to immediately self-isolate for 10 days after they began experiencing symptoms or from the date they were tested.

Close contacts of a person with COVID-19 is also required to isolate for 14 days after they are near the infected person unless they were fully vaccinated at the time.

Proof of vaccination also extended

Dr. Shahab also signed a second letter extending the mandate that people are required to show proof of double vaccination or a negative test until Nov. 30.

“While issuing this order, I have determined that the restrictions herein are not disproportionate to the risk that COVID-19 poses to the people of Saskatchewan,” the document read.

The province has required either proof of vaccination or a negative test to access a many public places, like gyms, restaurants and event spaces since Oct. 1.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt, but anyone older than 12 not following the province’s public health orders can be fined $2,000. Corporations who go against the rules can face a $10,000 fine.

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