麻豆传媒

SASKATOON — The City of Saskatoon is reminding all residents that wearing masks while accessing their facilities and riding the Saskatoon Transit is again a requirement to keep in line with the new public health measures implemented by the provincial government.

The council was first to approve the health measure during its meeting Aug. 30 as cases of the Delta variant continued to rise in the city.

On Thursday, the Saskatchewan government announced a province-wide mandatory mask order for all indoor public spaces will take effect Friday. The decision was made to help ease the pressure on the provincial health care system.

COVID-19 cases are rising at an alarming rate, partly because of a number of the population remains unvaccinated. As of Thursday, 439 new cases were reported with 347 of those infected not yet inoculated.

The province’s health order exempts youth athletes, those under 18 years old, from the masking mandate for indoor sporting events and while they are taking part in those athletic activities. Spectators must wear masks while inside venues that host youth athletic events.

The city is also looking to launch on Monday, Oct, 4, regular mandatory COVID-19 rapid testing for all personnel and staff that report to their workplace. They will be more lenient for staff who are fully vaccinated who choose to share their vaccination status.

The city will also study the impact to be made by the order of the Government of Saskatchewan that residents are required to show a proof of vaccination or a negative test when accessing some event venues and businesses.

The provincial government’s new health order that takes effect Oct. 1 requires a proof of vaccination or a negative test must be presented by people who wish to enter certain establishments.

The city will share the full details of the proof of vaccination system once the technology is shared by the provincial government.

The provincial government has required all Saskatchewan ministry, crown and agency employees to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 1. Those who fail to provide proof of vaccination must show a proof or a negative test result on a regular basis.