Communities brace for COVID-19, call for assistance
Infection risk leads to cancellations, postponements for many events
With the growing concern around COVID-19, the Saskatchewan government is taking steps to enhance access to health care by providing support for physicians to offer virtual appointments to patients.
The new virtual services, which will be supported through a new payment code for physicians, will enable patients to connect with physicians by telephone effective immediately, according to a news release issued Friday. The Ministry of Health is also working to provide patients with the ability to connect with doctors by secure video, which may be available as early as next week with physicians’ offices that offer that option.
SUNDAY MASS
Catholics may find some changes to their Sunday mass service.
According to information posted to the Archidiocese of Regina’s website, in joint consultations between the Archdiocese of Regina and the Diocese of Saskatoon, Bishop Mark Hagemoen and Archbishop Donald Bolen issued guidelines this week calling for temporary restrictions around liturgical practice.
These include: Replacing handshaking at the sign of peace with a bow and spoken word of peace; communion being distributed without wine, which is usually shared in a common cup; and the recommended use of hand washing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers for parishioners in general and ministers of communion in particular; also parishes are advised that they may want to remove holy water from fonts at church entrances.
COURTHOUSE CONCERNS
The Provincial Court of Saskatchewan
is discouraging all unnecessary visits to provincial courthouses amid concerns around COVID-19.
Trials and preliminary inquiries will continue, but all those involved are asked to warn court if they are showing symptoms of the virus.
Courts are asking that video and telephone appearances be used in lieu of in-person appearances when possible. Lawyers are also asked to limit appearances during the docket stage and to obtain instructions from clients to reduce unnecessary appearance for summary conviction matters. All visits to provincial courts have been cancelled for students and other groups.
MORE CANCELLATIONS
The show Celtic Illusion, which had been scheduled to take place at the Conexus Arts Centre on Friday, is postponed.
The What Woman Want trade show, set for the International Trade Centre this weekend, has been called off.
The Regina Symphony Orchestra’s
Saturday night concert (Chopin Piano Concerto) has been cancelled, as has its March 21 concert (The Golden Age of Hollywood).
The Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan is cancelling its annual fundraiser The Champions for Mental Health on Saturday.
The Mackenzie Art Gallery and its café are temporarily closing to the public, effective Saturday.
The Regina and District Chamber of Commerce has cancelled its original dates and rescheduled the Paragon Awards show to Sept. 4 and the Take a Break Administrative Professionals Luncheon to June 9.
Regina Public Schools has cancelled or postponed all its public events with large audiences, including all Scholastic Book Fairs and Laughter for Literacy, which was set to take place on March 27.
The Regina Monster Energy Classic bull riding event, set for Saturday at the Brandt Centre, has been postponed. A new date has yet to be announced, but tickets will be honoured at the rescheduled event.