Regina and area residents reminded essential travel includes medical appointments and compassionate visitation

Residents of Saskatchewan are reminded that the Public Health Order restricting travel to Regina does not apply to those travelling for essential travel to and from Regina, including:

• Patients with medical appointments or who require medical care
• Patient/resident visits for compassionate reasons.

This is to clarify the local Public Health Order for Regina that the Government of Saskatchewan released on March 23, 2021. In the Public Health Order, a travel advisory was issued for Regina and area communities recommending against travel in or out of the Regina area unless absolutely necessary. The Public Health Order applies to the city of Regina and area including:  Belle Plaine, Pense, Grand Coulee, Lumsden Beach, Regina Beach, Craven, Lumsden, Edenwold, Pilot Butte, White City, Balgonie, Kronau, Davin, Gray, Riceton, RM of Lajord, RM of Edenwold, RM of Sherwood, RM of Pense and the RM of Lumsden.

Medical appointments and patient/resident visits for compassionate reasons are considered necessary. The Saskatchewan Health Authority reminds residents that it is safe to attend medical appointments but does not recommend making other stops or visits in the city.

Family Presence (information edited April 8, 2021)

Essential family members/supports who live in Regina and area can continue to support residents/patients outside of the Regina area based on the level of restriction in the geographical area where the patient or resident is currently receiving care. See summary of current family presence restrictions.​

For Continuing Care only – Long Term Care Homes

• In order to keep everyone in long-term care homes safe, family presence/visitation is being limited in the Regina area Including the city of Regina, Emerald Park, Lumsden and Cupar) to family presence Level 3 Palliative/end of life ONLY. Level 3 family presence restrictions are for end-of-life with the provision that care teams can support one essential family/support person to safely assist with care if needed (i.e. for self-care, mobility, nutrition and behavioural needs). This must be approved by the care team and includes outbreak situations. No other visitors are allowed into the specified facilities or homes at this time and these limitations will remain in place until it is safe to return to the previous level of family presence. 
• This decision will be reviewed and re-evaluated in two weeks, on April 6, 2021.

Family members and support people who are permitted must undergo a health screening prior to entering the facility or home. This includes a temperature check and questionnaire. The family member or support person will be required to perform hand hygiene (hand washing and/or use of hand sanitizer) when entering and leaving the facility or home and when entering and leaving the patient's or resident’s room. Family members and support people will be required to wear a medical grade mask while inside the facility or home and potentially additional personal protective equipment if required. Family members and support people are not permitted to wait in waiting rooms or other common areas.

Residents are reminded of the importance of continuing to go to medical appointments and receiving medical care when necessary.

All residents, including those travelling in and out of Regina for medical appointments and compassionate visitation, are reminded to adhere to all public health measures, including:

• Keep 2 metres away from others when in public and wear a mask.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth or mask with unwashed hands.
• Stay home if you are unwell; seek healthcare services when you help.
• Regularly monitor your health for any COVID-19 symptoms and seek testing.