SHA Proof of Vaccination or Negative Test Policy for Family/Support People and Visitors Comes Into Effect Monday
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) announced that beginning November 8, 2021, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a recent negative test will be required for family/support people and visitors to enter all SHA acute care facilities, and long-term care (LTC) homes, including affiliates. This includes any services that are located in acute care facilities or long term care homes.
Patients will not be required to provide proof of full vaccination to receive care or service.
The SHA is committed to patient and family-centred care, including safe family presence. All family/support people and visitors need to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Without a proof of vaccination, family/support people and visitors may provide a negative PCR or a rapid antigen test, 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.
Proof of full vaccination or a negative test result will not be required:
- In urgent/emergent situations. This includes emergency ground transport. One unvaccinated family/support person permitted.*
- For labouring mothers and partners as they are considered urgent care situations. One unvaccinated family/support person permitted.*
- In cases when children/dependents need care. One parent/support person will be allowed to accompany the child regardless of vaccination status or negative test.*
- For LTC, planned care appointments, admissions and surgery, if there is no option for a vaccinated/tested negative family or support, one designated family member/support person is permitted without proof of vaccination or negative test (in discussion with the care team). Additional precautions may be required.*
- For end of life situations.*
*Additional precautions may be required.
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 third-party 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.
Regardless of whether you provide Proof of Vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, all family/support people and visitors must still comply will all safety and infection prevention and control measures in the facility, including mandatory masking requirements.
Please be patient as we create these processes to enhance safety for our patients, residents, families and care teams.
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 saskatchewan.ca/covid19-vaccine.