The Government of Saskatchewan has announced a number of measures to address pressures currently facing the health system, implement mandatory self-isolation requirements, expand access to COVID-19 testing, provide a verifiable proof of vaccination record, and plan for the widespread access to booster doses.
Province Enacts Mandatory Self-Isolation Order
A public health order will be mandated for those that test positive for COVID-19 to self-isolate for 10-days after receiving a positive test result. Unvaccinated close contacts of individuals that tested positive for COVID-19 will also be required to self-isolate. Fully vaccinated individuals identified as a close-contact of a positive case will not be required to self-isolate, but will be required to self-monitor and seek testing at the first sign of COVID-19 symptoms.
Expanding Health System Surge Capacity
There will be a reduction in non-critical or elective services in order to expand surge capacity in the health system.
In order to help offset the impact of service reductions within Saskatchewan's health system, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) will be purchasing approximately 8,500 MRI and CT scans from private providers, and will provide an additional 2,300 scans in smaller hospitals.
Expanding Health System Labour Mobility
The SHA is working to reach a renewed agreement with health care provider unions to provide greater flexibility in scheduling and placing health care workers in areas experiencing surges in capacity pressures.
If the SHA and unions cannot reach an agreement by Monday, September 13, the Government of Saskatchewan is prepared to sign another Provincial Emergency Order to reactivate the previous provisions that enabled emergency labour mobility.
Expanding Contact Tracing Workforce
The SHA, Ministry of Health and SaskBuilds and Procurement will work together to recruit private contact tracing resources.
Expanding COVID-19 Testing Options
The SHA and Ministry of Health are moving to expand testing capacity through existing third-party contracted testing service providers, and by procuring additional publicly funded testing resources.
Further rapid testing resources will be made available to Saskatchewan residents. Saskatchewan has secured an additional one million rapid antigen tests from the federal government, with a shipment of 500,000 expecting to arrive late next week.
Booster Doses
With the administration of "booster" doses for immunocompromised individuals and long-term care residents, Saskatchewan will soon start providing widespread access to booster doses for the broader public.
Beginning in October, COVID-19 booster shots will soon be made available for the Saskatchewan senior population and then the broader vaccinated public throughout the winter.
Proof of Vaccination Requirement for Health Care Workers
All SHA employees will need to provide proof of vaccination.
Verifiable Proof of Vaccination Record
Saskatchewan's verifiable record of vaccination will be launched during the week of September 20. Residents who are currently registered for eHealth Saskatchewan's My Sask Health Record will be able to download their vaccine record, including a unique QR code, and protect personal health information. Businesses, organizations, post-secondary institutions and municipalities that require proof of vaccination will be able to download a separate app to securely scan these QR codes to verify vaccination records without retaining or viewing any personal health information.
More details regarding the vaccination records, QR codes and the verification app will be available in the days prior to the launch.
