SHA to Introduce Proof of Vaccination or Negative Test Policy in all Facilities
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is announcing that beginning November 8, 2021 Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID test will be required to enter all SHA acute care facilities, and Long Term Care (LTC) homes, including affiliates. This aligns with both the SHA Health Care Worker Proof of Vaccination policy and the provincial Proof of Vaccination contained in the Saskatchewan Public Health Order for non-essential businesses and events. Patients will not be required to provide proof of full vaccination to receive care or service.
The Ministry of Health will be directing personal care homes to align with this policy.
The SHA is committed to patient and family centred care, including safe family presence. Many safety enhancements have been put in place during the pandemic to promote and sustain safe family presence including masking, screening and point of care testing. All essential family/supports and visitors are to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Without a proof of vaccination, essential family/supports and visitors to long term care homes (including Affiliates) and personal care homes may provide a negative PCR or a rapid antigen test, provided the test is performed in the last 72 hours by an approved third party provider. These services are user pay and a list of providers is available on the Government of Saskatchewan website.
You will have several options for showing your proof of vaccination credentials.
- QR Code on your mobile phone (screenshot from MySaskHealthRecord or SK Vax Wallet app)
- QR code printed from MySaskHealthRecord
- COVID-19 vaccine certificate printed from MySaskHealthRecord
- Wallet cards received at time of immunization (Saskatchewan Health Authority or Indigenous Services Canada)
- Proof (electronic or in writing) issued by another province, territory or government.
For those who choose not to show proof of vaccination, a negative PCR, or rapid antigen test, performed in the past 72 hours by an approved provider must be shown. SHA will not cover the cost of testing. Information on where to obtain a test can be found at on the Government of Saskatchewan website.
The SHA recognizes that family presence is essential to safe patient and resident care. An exemption process is being created and more information will be provided once the details are finalized.
If you have not been vaccinated, please get your vaccination. COVID-19 vaccinations are safe and effective and are your best defence against the virus. A complete list of COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Saskatchewan can be found at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-vaccine.