Re-open Saskatchewan: What you need to know
Mask rules for health workers eased, guidelines set for golf courses and more
As the province enters its second week of the Re-open Saskatchewan plan’s first phase, the provincial government has updated guidelines for some of the businesses expected to open soon.
MASK USE FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS
In mid-april, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) mandated that all staff and physicians working in health care facilities, whether they had direct or indirect contact with patients or residents, wear a mask at all times.
Now the SHA is only mandating that staff working in SHA health care facilities wear masks in “clinical care areas.” This means staff do not need to wear masks in hallways or waiting areas unless they are showing symptoms.
DRIVE-IN THEATRES
A number of guidelines have been laid out for drive-in theatres opening up across the province.
vehicles must be separated by at least five metres
physically distancing of at least two metres has to be maintained between people outside their vehicles at all times, including for food lineups and washroom access
any food or concession services can only offer contactless pickup or delivery options, and soap and water or hand sanitizer must be provided
access to washrooms should be limited, and cleaned frequently throughout the movie if provided
only people from the same household can be in the same vehicle
FARMERS MARKETS
Public markets and farmers markets will be allowed to open as long as they follow provincial guidelines starting May 19. These guidelines include:
the number of people at the event must be limited to ensure two metres can be maintained between everyone, and physically distancing must be practised in lineups
facilities for people to wash or sanitize their hands must be provided
only take-away food and prepackaged liquor can be sold
no activities that promote gatherings should be held (live musicians, kids play areas, etc.)
anyone who is sick should not be allowed to attend
THRIFT STORES
Thrift stores or any other business selling second-hand goods, which are included in Phase 2 beginning May 19, must wash any donated clothing items and dry them on the highest setting possible.
Any item that can’t be put in a washing machine must be cleaned and disinfected, or isolated in a separate bin for at least 72 hours before being placed on store shelves. Employees must wash their hands after handling donations.
GOLF COURSES
As part of Phase 1, golf courses are allowed to open on May 15. A few changes have been made to the golf course guidelines:
balls are still not allowed to drop into the cup, but golf courses can implement measures like a touchfree ball removal mechanism instead of ending play when the ball touches the cup
the time between tees has dropped from 20 minutes to 12 minutes to avoid congestion
the driving range and practice putting/chipping greens can open if physical distancing is maintained, but range balls must be disinfected between customers
BOATING
Parks opened to vehicle traffic for Saskatchewan residents on May 4 as part of Phase 1. Passengers in boats no longer have to be from the same household, but they must maintain distance.
To see the complete updated Reopen plan, visit saskatchewan.ca.