The Government of Saskatchewan has determined what businesses are being considered essential and non-essential services, with businesses deemed non-critical required to close public operations on Mar. 26 to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
Public gatherings have also been limited even further to just 10 people at a time, provided the two-metre social distancing recommendation can be upheld, beginning Mar. 26.
“As we impose further restrictions to fight the spread of COVID-19, we know this creates challenges for businesses in Saskatchewan and we know that providing as much clarity as possible is important,” Premier Scott Moe said in a press release.
Businesses deemed “non-allowable services” will no longer be able to provide public-facing services, but may move to a delivery, pick-up, or online model to adhere to social distancing requirements.
The list of non-allowable services includes most retail stores, pawnshops, and travel agencies.
This is in addition to the Mar. 23 announcement of restrictions on the restaurant industry, recreational facilities, medical clinics outside of non-elective procedures, and personal services such as salons, tattooists and other estheticians.
Allowable services that have been deemed critical moving forward will continue operating to provide their service to the public in accordance with social distance practices.
Those services include health care and public health workers, law enforcement, public safety and first responders, as well as government and community services and banking and financial services.
Also deemed critical by the government are all kinds of production and supply workers as part of the supply chain, transportation and logistics, select retail services, and construction and repair services.
Media and telecommunications businesses are also being considered critical services that will continue to operate.
A full list of allowable business services can be found here.
More information about COVID-19 in Saskatchewan can be found at saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.
