Sask. government extends mask, isolation mandate until the end of November
CBC
The Saskatchewan government has decided to extend a public health order that makes wearing masks in all indoor public spaces and isolating when positive with COVID-19 mandatory in the province.
The mask mandate was reimplemented on Sept. 17. The public health order behind it was set to expire Wednesday, but Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province's chief medical health officer, signed a new order posted to the government's website Tuesday afternoon that extends it until Nov. 30.
"This order is necessary in order to reduce the burden on Saskatchewan's health care system, enable essential services to continue, and to reduce serious illness and overall deaths as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic," the document reads.
Under the order, masks are mandatory in all public indoor spaces, including areas of a business or venues that are restricted to staff only.
Masks are exempt from gatherings in private homes or living spaces.
Youth participating in sports also do not have to wear a mask while taking part in their activity.
The same order also requires everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 to immediately self-isolate for 10 days after they began experiencing symptoms or from the date they were tested.
Anyone who is a close contact of a person with COVID-19 is also required to self-isolate for 14 days after they see the infected person, unless they were fully vaccinated at the time they were exposed.
Dr. Shahab also signed an extension to another public health order that requires people in Saskatchewan to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test until Nov. 30.
"I consider the following measures necessary to decrease or eliminate the risk to health presented by COVID-19 and in the public interest, in order to prevent, reduce and control the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, including variants of concern," the document reads.
Since Oct. 1, the government has required either proof of vaccination or a negative test to access a variety of public places, including restaurants, gyms and event venues.
Children under the age of 12 are exempt from the requirements.
Individuals who don't follow the province's public health orders can be fined $2,000. Corporations who go against the rules can face a $10,000 fine, plus a victim impact surcharge of 40 per cent.
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running Game
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing Game
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic Game
Four in five of the wildfires so far in Saskatchewan this year have been caused by humans — the vast majority of them accidentally. But experts say part of the reason they've spread so far, so fast, is another human factor: climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels.
Just a block away from the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan there's a garden uniting green thumbs in Lloydminster.
Shelley Lindaas has long dreamed of seeing a Kermode bear cub in person.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) report outlining the events leading to the death of Erixon Kabera answered some questions for his family and friends, but many remain.
Syed Hassan says he doesn't like to complain much. But when his wife told him she got a parking ticket on Thursday night, he knew he needed to speak out.
Following the public outcry over the Jian Ghomeshi case, some legal scholars and sexual assault survivor advocates lauded changes made to the Criminal Code that would prevent defence lawyers from surprising complainants at trial with past emails or text messages with the defendant.
The Waterloo Region District School Board has been talking a lot about the word "family" this month.
At Pedro's Island Eatery in North Rustico, owner Pedro Gameiro has long been not a fan of using seed oils for frying
The parking lot of the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse was full on Friday, and the building surrounded by well-dressed young people and their proud families. Despite the smoky conditions in the city, there was much to celebrate.
Toronto has moved one step closer to allowing fiveplexes and sixplexes in neighbourhoods across the city.
Warning: Some readers may find photos in this story distressing.
Fifty years ago this fall the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States met in a castle outside Paris for three days of meetings, at the conclusion of which they issued the Declaration of Rambouillet, a 15-point statement of principles and commitments.
An Iranian woman living in Newfoundland and Labrador says she's watching attacks between Israel and Iran with worry for her family back home.