With other provinces in the last 24 hours announcing full shut-downs of all non-essential businesses, the common sentiment in the southwest was that it was only a matter of time before Premier Scott Moe did the same in Saskatchewan.

That trigger got pulled today as fourteen new cases were announced, bringing the province's total to 86.

Perhaps more critically, for the first time, a handful of those new cases were from confirmed local transmission rather than being related to travel; telling residents once and for all that COVID-19 is indeed making a home in Saskatchewan and not just travelling in from elsewhere.

That discovery marks a new, and potentially more critical stage in the battle; where self-isolation and physical distancing becomes paramount as it takes the province into the unknown. It's no longer enough to simply keep away from someone who has been overseas because now it could literally be anyone.

This is why the province is effectively on lockdown as of March 26, 2020, with a laundry list of non-essential stores and services ordered to shutter their doors indefinitely.

“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. “We are already seeing the creation of a social distancing economy in Saskatchewan as many businesses adapt their service delivery to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Clothing stores and shoe stores; flower shops, recreational vehicle retailers, jewelry and accessory stores; toys, music, video games, pawn shops and travel agencies. These are just a few examples of stores that are, as of this morning, locked to the public.

The Premier stated in his daily press conference that those stores that are able to continue servicing clients by transitioning to online retailing or pick-up and delivery are free to do so, but that no clients are to be allowed on site.

These are similar to restrictions recently placed by Ontario and are in addition to the restrictions from March 23, 2020, which saw non-essential services like hairdressers and suntanning parlours similarly shuttered.

Allowable businesses include of course not only health care workers, law enforcement and first responders but also production, manufacturing, construction and supply chain support; transportation, government and community services; media and telecommunications; and select essential retail, banking and financial services.

In the same announcement, the government also announced that its twenty-five person gathering restriction will now be dropped to ten, with exceptions being maintained for places where two-metre distancing can be enforced, such as workplaces, multiple room buildings and essential retail spaces.

Moe ended the announcement by acknowledging that the change will affect many, saying:

"Every one of you is part of a massive civil defence effort to protect our people, to protect our families and to protect our province, unlike anything most of us have seen in our lifetime. We're asking a lot, but it's necessary and it will reduce the risk."

To access a full list of allowed and unallowed businesses, visit the Saskatchewan government's press release here.