Scott Moe told reporters that “It is the goal of this government that no one… is required to provide a health record to gain entry to (a) building.”
While answering follow-up questions from the media after the announcement of an end to public health mandates, the premier said that businesses that choose to continue asking for proof of vaccination or a negative test should seek legal advice.
“The regulations that were in place indemnifying businesses to act on the proof of vaccination policy for customers and for employees,” Moe said, “should be considered temporary, and it will be removed post-February 13.”
Moe clarified that masking policies are not something the government can speak to.
“With respect to masking, if a private business chooses to have a masking policy in place to enter that private business, there’s really nothing the government can do. Customers would make their choice as to whether they attend that business or not.”
The premier then stated firmly that no business that required a health record from its customers or employees would receive any support or protection from the provincial government.
“It is the goal of this government that no one – whether it be a teacher or a student in school, whether it be an employee or whether it be a potential customer of a business – is required to provide a health record to gain entry to that building.”
Despite stating that the provincial government has a goal of preventing anyone from having to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test result, Moe was asked for further clarification.
“They may open themselves up to some vulnerability,” he said vaguely. “I won’t provide advice or say whether, you know – private business is free to do what they choose. But they also may have some consequences that would be a result of that.”
Moe placed municipal governments in the same category as private businesses. He said that if municipalities wanted to continue asking for health records, they might be at risk.
Moe said that if a business chooses to continue having a policy of asking for proof of vaccination or a recent negative test past the lifting of the provincial mandate at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 14, “my advice to them would be to consult their lawyer because the government is removing any temporary protections that we had in place.”
The provincial government, the premier said, wants to create “unified access” for all Saskatchewan residents. That access includes schools, businesses, and communities in general.
