What Happens in SHA on July 11?

As the Government of Saskatchewan moves into recovery for COVID-19, and the province enters Step Three of Saskatchewan’s Re-Opening Roadmap on July 11 by removing all remaining public health restrictions, including masking, many of you are wondering what this means for Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) procedures and directives.

It is paramount that some procedures and guidelines remain in place in SHA facilities to reduce the risk of variants of concern (VOC) and further waves of COVID-19 to patients, residents and health care providers. For health care it is not business as usual, and so safety directives, such as masking and use of personal protective equipment, will remain in place in SHA facilities and long-term care homes until the risks of COVID-19 are effectively controlled.

As we continue to care for COVID-19 patients and those with health care needs arising from COVID-19, we must remain vigilant against COVID-19, continue the delivery of our COVID-19 immunization program and continue with our Test to Protect strategy. We strongly encourage all health-care providers and members of the public to visit our testing centres and participate in our community antigen testing program.

While the Public Health Order will soon be lifting in the community, our provincial health system will continue adhering to many COVID-19 related infection prevention and control policies and procedures. The SHA will monitor the situation as it relates to VOC and transmission, reassessing and adjusting as required as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. Changes to procedures will be communicated as these arise.

We must continue our fight against COVID-19 and protect our most vulnerable. Together, we will overcome the challenges of this pandemic and keep our communities, facilities and loved ones safe.