Moe unveils Re-open Saskatchewan details
May 4 tagged as start date of first of five re-opening phases
Saskatchewan is now days away from the first steps in loosening restrictions put in place to flatten the curve during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe unveiled a five phase plan during a press conference this past Thursday, with the gradual re-opening strategy intended to help improve the provincial economy while simultaneously keeping transmission risks as low as possible.
“Today I’m announcing our plan to gradually, and cautiously, and methodology, reopen businesses and public services that have been forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Moe said during the April 23 plan unveiling.
Despite the business re-openings, the province is stressing the importance of continued cautionary precautions regarding physical distancing, recommendations against non essential travelling, plus maintaining a hold on the size of public and private gatherings, which will all remain in effect during the re-opening schedule.
“We have to find the right balance. We have to find the middle ground that continues to keep our case numbers low, and keep Saskatchewan people safe, while at the same time allowing for business to re-open and Saskatchewan people to get back to work,” Moe said.
A comprehensive 39 page document entitled Re-open Saskatchewan Plan, available on the Government of Saskatchewan website, spells out all aspects of the strategy.
Phase one of the re-opening strategy begins after this weekend with the resuming of some previously restricted medical services. The medical services which will be re-opening effective Monday, May 4 includes dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, optician services, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment. These services are available again since being restricted effective March 23.
The start of the 2020 fishing season in Saskatchewan will begin on time as Saskatchewan residents will be allowed to fish and access boat launches starting on May 4.
Effective May 15, Saskatchewan’s golf courses will be able to open under a series of new guidelines.
Saskatchewan residents will be able to access Saskatchewan’s parks and campgrounds starting on June 1. Saskatchewan’s online reservation system for provincial parks will launch on May 4 for people to reserve a spot.
The larger phase two strategy involved the re-opening of selected retail services and additional personal services effective Tuesday, May 19.
The re-opening of a series of retail stores, which have been closed since March 26, includes clothing stores, shoe stores, flower shops, sporting good/adventure stores, vaping supply shops, boats, ATV and snowmobile dealers, gift,book and stationery stores, jewelry and accessory stores, toy stores, music, electronic and entertainment stores, pawn shops, and travel agencies.
Despite these businesses re-opening, the