The Saskatchewan Government announced that people in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert will have to wear masks in indoor public spaces starting Friday November 6 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
This does not apply to surrounding cities such as Warman and Martensville but masking is still encouraged. The maximum private gathering size, province wide, will also be reduced from 15 to 10..
The Saskatoon and Region Home Builders Association (SRHBA) issued a news release on Wednesday, November 4 clarifying the rules for construction sites.
If a construction site is not open to the public, masking would not be considered mandatory. While an obvious statement for those working on a construction site, the SRHBA suggests signage making this very clear that your sites are not open to the public for obvious safety reasons, but also to prevention the spread of COVID-19.
Masking is still considered a best practice where social distancing and good ventillation is not possible.
The use of non-medical masks is MANDATORY in most indoor public places. Indoor places could include:
* All healthcare facilities
* All long-term care, personal care homes and assisted living facilities
* Pharmacies
* Medical service centres and offices
* Retail businesses
* Shopping centres and malls
* Personal services businesses, such as hair and nail salons, spas, body art facilities, except during services that require removing a mask
* Restaurants and bars, except while eating or drinking while seated in designated areas
* Places of worship or faith gatherings
* Places for cultural or entertainment services or activities, such as movie theatres, arcades, concerts and other performances
* Places for sports and recreational activities, such as a gym, ice arena, pool, gymnastic facility, dance facility or indoor court or field facility, except while participating in physical exertion
* Places for events, such as conferences and receptions
* Municipal, provincial or federal government locations offering services to the public
* Common areas of tourist accommodations, such as lobbies, elevators and hallways
* Common areas of office buildings, such as lobbies, elevators and hallways, but not private offices
* Public areas of a university or college campus, such as library or student union building, classrooms, hallways and other common areas, but not labs, offices or residences
* Train or bus stations, ferry terminals and airports
* Public transport, including cabs, ride share services and carpooling.
The use of non-medical masks is NOT MANDATORY in these locations:
* Workplaces to which the public does not have access
Private homes and residences except for service workers and visitors
* Private areas of long-term care homes, personal care homes, group homes, and assisted living
* Private resident areas of communal living, hospitality and workplace accommodations
* Public indoor areas when eating or drinking while seated or in designated area
The following people are exempt from the use of non-medical masks:
* Children under 2 years of age
* Anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance
* Persons actively engaged in physical exercise