In an hour-long press conference on Friday, Premier Scott Moe, Health Minister Jim Reiter and Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab announced both the second presumptive case of COVID-19 in the province and enhanced health measures to try to delay the spread of the virus.

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, the following orders will take effect:

  • No public gathering of more than 250 people can take place in a single room. This doesn't include gatherings where people are distributed to different rooms, such as schools, universities and workplaces;
  • No events of over 50 people with speakers or attendees that have travelled internationally in the last 14 days are to take place;
  • Retail locations and faith-based organizations are exempt, however, they should have measures that support safe social distancing, such as crowd size monitoring;
  • Effective immediately, any person who has travelled outside of the province in the previous 14 days or has acute respiratory or flu-like symptoms is to avoid visiting any long term care home.

Doctor Shahab explained the measures; saying that they address two things that are of current concern in both Canada and the United States.

"They address the importation of cases from anywhere in the world. (As well) we have had instances now in Canada where there has been transmission in large conferences in both Toronto and BC. So that is not individuals within Canada travelling overseas, but going to events where there are lots of people from other parts of the world."

He also added that, for now, Schools in Saskatchewan will remain open due to the fact that there has not been evidence of community transmission in the province, with all cases so far rising from travel overseas. He believes that for the time being promoting social distancing in schools is sufficient when used in collaboration with the stricter travel guidelines.

"The other concern is that if you close schools prematurely for an indefinite period of time children can still gather, for example in people's houses while parents go to work."

The government of Saskatchewan also announced a number of policies regarding government employee travel.

  • International travel by government employees is prohibited;
  • Travel by government employees outside of the province is restricted and subject to approval by the Deputy Minister to the Premier;
  • Any government employees who are currently travelling internationally or plan to travel for personal reasons will be required to self-isolate for 14 days after returning to Saskatchewan as a precaution;
  • All government employees who are experiencing flu-like or respiratory symptoms will be required to stay at home.

Shahab stated that while those measures were being implemented for government employees, he strongly recommended that private employers adopt similar guidelines across the province in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 and reduce its impact on the health system.

Scott Moe also announced that in light of the present situation, the Saskatchewan Budget will proceed without the participation of the usual guests. Members of the Legislative Assembly, media, and a limited amount of staff will gather for these events while practicing social distancing.

Furthermore, all tours and public events at the Legislative Building are suspended and general public access to the Legislative Building will also be suspended.