COVID-19 UPDATE: What to Expect After July 11, 2021 in Saskatchewan Health Authority Facilities

On July 11, 2021, Saskatchewan will enter Phase 3 of the re-open Saskatchewan plan and all remaining Public Health Orders will be removed, including mandatory masking indoors. This does not mean that the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Transmission of COVID-19 and its variants, like the Delta variant, will continue to pose a risk throughout the province and therefore to the health and safety of staff, physicians, patients, residents, family and visitors in Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) facilities.

As of July 11, there will be no changes to the masking, screening and family presence directives in SHA facilities with the exception of Long Term Care (LTC) homes. When you enter a facility, you will be expected to:

1. Wear a medical grade face mask for the duration of your stay in the facility. Facilities include all hospitals, vaccine clinics, out-patient clinics etc. Failure to wear a mask may result in being denied access to the facility. Patients will continue to be able to remove their masks when they are in their own room. All staff in any SHA facility or performing any SHA service, like Home Care and including LTC homes, are still required to follow continuous masking protocols.
2. Answer the COVID-19 screening questions honestly and to the best of your ability.
3. Follow Level 1 Family Presence guidelines. This means that each patient can designate two essential family members/supports. These people can both visit the patient but only one person at a time. Additional family members/supports can be designated for intensive care, and palliative care. Two people can be present at one time for intensive care, palliative care, and maternal/children’s units. These will be reassessed frequently and will be adjusted as the COVID-19 risk changes.
4. Continue to be kind and respectful to everyone. Abusive language and actions will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the facility.

For SHA Long-Term Care Facilities:
Residents, family and visitors are not required to wear masks and have no limit on the number of visitors. However, visitors are encouraged to wear a mask while visiting, particularly if the resident or visitor is not fully vaccinated or physical distance cannot be maintained. Masks help to reduce COVID-19 transmission. LTC Homes are different than other SHA facilities because these are considered people’s homes.

The health and safety of staff, physicians, patients, residents, family and visitors is our number one priority. In order to maintain safety for everyone, the above protocols will remain in place for the time being and will be regularly reviewed. It is only by working together that we can keep SHA facilities safe.

For more information on COVID-19, including vaccinations, please visit saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.