We are very thankful to have a team of volunteers in the community who have come together to help out during this difficult time. If you are in need of assistance, please call the town office (306) 792-2022 or email: kathy.springside@sasktel.net and we can connect you with a volunteer.  Outside of regular office hours please feel free to reach out directly to the Springside Baptist Church.   The Springside Baptist Church has mobilized volunteers to help out if you are in need of childcare OR grocery pickup please contact the Springside Baptist Church by email: office@springsidebaptist.com or call Pastor Mike: 306-621-9622.  This offer of assistance is open to everyone in our community not only the adherents of the Baptist Church. 

Released on November 26, 2020

Three residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have died.  One in Saskatoon in the 70-79 age group, and two in the 80+ age group in the North West. 

There are 299 new cases of COVID-19 to report in Saskatchewan on November 26, 2020, bringing the provincial total to date to 7,362 cases.  The new cases are located in the Far North West (11), Far North Central (4), Far North East (16), North West (17), North Central (34), North East (3), Saskatoon (125), Central West (4), Central East (6), Regina (44), South West (7), South Central (12) and South East (8) zones and eight (8) new cases have pending residence information.

Of the cases announced today, 72 are from the Saskatoon Correctional Centre—68 of these are offenders, and four are staff.  To date, there are a total of 85 active cases among offenders and staff at Saskatoon Correctional Centre
 

Corrections officials are working with public health on measures to reduce the spread within the facility and the correctional system.  This will include ongoing testing of offenders and staff at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre.
 

Additionally, all new admissions to provincial correctional centres will be tested for COVID-19 starting early next week.  New admissions will continue to be quarantined for 14 days.
 

Corrections is also instituting mandatory continuous masking for offenders across all provincial correctional facilities.  Employees at correctional centres have been continuously masking since the summer. 
 

As of today, there will be no new admissions to Saskatoon Correctional Centre.  Remanded and sentenced offenders are being redirected to Regina and Prince Albert Correctional Centres.

Ten cases with pending residence information have been assigned to the following zones: Regina (3), North West (3), and North Central (4).  Eighteen Saskatchewan residents tested out-of-province were added to the total counts in the following zones: North West (10), Far North West (2), North Central (1), Regina (1), Saskatoon (4). 

One case with pending residence information and one case assigned to Saskatoon were deemed to be out-of-province residents and removed from the total counts. 

The seven-day average of daily new cases is 243 (20.1 new cases per 100,000 population).

Of the 7,362 reported cases, 3,146 are considered active.  A total of 4,176 people have recovered. 

One-hundred and eight people are in hospital. Ninety people are receiving inpatient care; one in the Far North West, eight in the North West, eight in North Central, one in North East, 34 in Saskatoon, two in Central East, 16 in Regina, one in South West, and 19 in the South East zone.  Eighteen people are in intensive care: one in North West, one in North Central, 10 in Saskatoon, two in South West and four in Regina.

Of the 7,362 cases in the province:

• 463 cases are travelers;
• 3,299 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 1,496 have no known exposures; and
• 2,104 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan to date:

• 225 cases are healthcare workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to healthcare in all instances.
• 1,552 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 2,603 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 1,962 are in the 40-59 age range; 980 are in the 60-79 age range; and 260 are in the 80-plus range. Confirmation of age is pending for five cases.
• 51 per cent of the cases are females and 49 per cent are males.
• 40 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

Of 7,362 confirmed cases: 

• 2,170 cases are from the Saskatoon area
• 1,550 cases are from the north area (542 north west, 729 north central, 279 north east)
• 1,212 cases are from the Regina area
• 978 cases are from the south area (356 south west, 383 south central, 239 south east)
• 848 cases are from the far north area (567 far north west, 79 far north central, 202 far north east)
• 576 cases are from the central area (262 central west, 314 central east)
• 28 cases have pending residence information

To date, 330,364 COVID-19 tests have been processed in Saskatchewan.  As of November 24, 2020 when other provincial and national numbers were available, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 212,857 people tested per million population.  The national rate was 295,051 people tested per million population.

Yesterday, 3,493 COVID-19 tests were processed in Saskatchewan. 

Weekly Reporting of Testing Numbers and Cases for Youth

Monitoring the trends of COVID-19 cases in school-aged children, the weekly report of cases and testing numbers for children aged 0-19 with data by age categories and testing positivity rates has been posted for the two-week period November 10-24, 2020 at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-Safe-Schools-Plan. 

General COVID-19 Information

General public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.

Released on November 25, 2020

COVID-19 transmission rates in Saskatchewan continue to increase, resulting in serious illness and deaths, placing provincial health care resources under increasing strain.  Additional public health measures are being introduced based on the transmission patterns observed in Saskatchewan, providing further guidance to help reduce COVID-19 case numbers over the coming weeks.

These additional health measures come into effect at 12:01 am, Friday November 27 and, along with current health measures, remain in effect until December 17, 2020.  At that time they will be reviewed by the provincial Chief Medical Health Officer.

Enforcement of public health orders is permitted under The Public Health Act, 1994.

Restaurants and Licensed Establishments

All restaurants and licensed establishments (bars, taverns, nightclubs) are limited to seat four at a single table.  If there are impermeable barriers between the tables, tables must be placed two metres apart.  If there are no impermeable barriers between tables, there must be a three metre distance between all tables.

Restaurants and licensed establishments must maintain guest/reservation information on all patrons.

The curfew on liquor service remains in effect.

Performance and Gaming Venues

Capacity will be restricted to 30 people at all casinos, bingo halls, arenas, live theatres, movie theatres, performing arts venues and any other facilities that are currently supporting a capacity of 150 people. 

• Where any of these facilities offer food or beverage service, they must keep the activity separate (i.e. cordoned off) from the food and beverage service.  No food or drink may be in the activity area. 

Indoor Public Event Gatherings

Indoor public banquets, conferences, wedding and funeral receptions in public venues will be limited to 30 people.  Food or beverages may not be present or served. 

Note that the maximum allowable gathering size for private gatherings in the home setting remains at five. This includes in the home or in buildings located on the private property (e.g. garages, sheds).  If your immediate family is five or greater, you cannot have additional visitors.  Individuals, recurring caregivers, support personnel (i.e. therapists, nursing staff) and tradespersons (i.e. housekeeper, plumber) are permitted, though they should maintain two metre distancing and be masked during service provision.

Gatherings of any size beyond your immediate household are strongly discouraged at this time. 

Sports, Fitness and Dance

• All team/group sports, activities, games, competitions, recitals, practices, etc. are suspended, including amateur and recreational leagues for all age groups.  Examples include hockey, curling, racquet sports, cheerleading, dance practices in group setting, etc.  
• Athletes and dancers 18 years of age and under may continue practicing, conditioning and skills training in groups of eight or fewer, abiding by the required mask use and at least three metres of physical distancing between participants at all times.  
• Individual groups of eight may not share a training/rehearsal surface or space at the same time.
• Coaches /trainers are not included in the training group numbers as long as they are masked and maintain a minimum physical distance of three metres.

Fitness activities and group fitness classes in groups of eight or fewer continue to be permitted, for all ages.  Mask use and at least three metres of physical distancing between participants must be maintained.

Places of Worship

All places of worship must reduce capacity to 30 people, including wedding, funeral and baptismal services.  No food or drink may be present or served. 

Mandatory Masking Expanded

Mandatory, non-medical mask use will be required during all indoor fitness activities, with aquatic activities the only exception.

Mandatory, non-medical masking will be extended to:

• All students, employees and visitors in all schools and day cares (except while consuming food or beverage or engaging in aquatic fitness activities).  Children ages 0-2 years are exempt from wearing masks.  Children ages 3-12 should wear a mask if they are able to;
• All employees and visitors in all common areas in businesses and workplaces, even in those areas which the public does not have access (e.g. construction sites, manufacturing facilities); and 
• All residents, employees and visitors in all common areas in provincial and municipal correctional facilities.

Note that masking continues to be required in indoor public areas that have installed barriers.  

Information on mask use is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/masks. 

Malls and Retail 

Retail businesses must enhance the expectation of mask use and mitigation measures (reduced traffic, directional flow signage, hand sanitizer, etc.) through signage and staff training. 

• Large retail locations are required to limit customer access to 50 per cent capacity or four square metres of space per person, whichever is less.  Large retail locations are defined as retailers with a square footage larger than 20,000 square feet, and 50 per cent capacity is determined by half of the specified fire-code capacity. 
• Mandatory masking posters to assist businesses and organizations to inform their customers are available at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-posters.

Note that each sector has guidance under the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan at www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/re-open-saskatchewan-plan.

It is expected that these measures will be applied in addition to that guidance.  In the event that there is any disparity between the Re-Open Saskatchewan guidance and the public health order, the public health order must be followed.   

Released on November 17, 2020

The following measures are in effect as of 12:01am Thursday, November 19, 2020.  They, and all other public health measures, will be in effect until December 17 and then subject to review by the provincial Chief Medical Health Officer.

Enforcement of public health orders is permitted under The Public Health Act, 1994. 

Mandatory Masking Province-wide

While the province continues to recommend wearing masks whenever you are outside the home, wearing a non-medical mask will now be required in all indoor public spaces in Saskatchewan.  Information on masks and their use and what qualifies as an indoor public space is available at http://www.saskatchewan.ca/masks.

• The list of indoor spaces may be amended for clarity; however, if you unsure if a location qualifies as an “indoor public space”, defer to wearing the mask – choose the option that promotes public safety.
• Masking in school settings is described in the back to school plans as set out by the respective school divisions.
• Masking guidance for childcare centres and daycares is described in the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.
• Mandatory masking posters to assist businesses and organizations to inform their customers are available at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-posters.

Protecting Residents of Long-Term and Personal Care Homes

Visitation to all long-term care facilities and personal care homes will be suspended, with the exception of compassionate reasons as per the current family visitation policy at www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/public-health-measures/mass-gatherings#compassionate-care-visitor-restrictions-at-sha-facilities.

• This measure is in addition to long-standing protections that have been in place, including mandatory masking of all staff, staff cohorting and symptom screening prior to shift.

Private Indoor Gathering Sizes Reduced

Indoor private gathering sizes are being reduced.  The maximum allowable gathering size for private gatherings in the home setting will decrease to five, down from 10.  This includes in the home or in buildings located on private property (eg. garages, sheds).

If your immediate family is five or greater, you cannot have additional visitors. 

Gatherings of any size beyond your immediate household are strongly discouraged at this time. 

• Support personnel (ie. therapists, nursing staff) and tradespersons (ie. housekeeper, plumber) are permitted though they should maintain two metre distancing and be masked during service provision.  Health care workers not able to maintain physical distancing when providing home care services must wear appropriate PPE.
• Any private gathering of more than five people/your immediate household must occur in a public venue (ie. restaurant, community hall), abiding by all applicable guidelines of physical distancing, food service, masking, etc. 
• Outdoor private gatherings remain at 30 people maximum and only if physical distancing of two metres can be maintained at all times. 

Work from Home 

COVID-19 transmission continues in workplaces throughout the province.  Break the chain of transmission; it is highly recommended that you work from home as much as possible, if your occupation allows.  If you are already working at home, you should continue to do so. 

Reviewing Hospitality Industry Guidelines

The Ministry of Health will be consulting with the hospitality industry (restaurants, bars, casinos, etc.), on continuing to mitigate the risk of transmission in their sectors.  The ministry will consult with the hospitality industry to determine how the guidelines, taken seriously by many, can be enhanced to ensure that the necessary measures are being taken to reduce COVID-19 transmission.

Reviewing Athletic Organization and Recreation Guidelines

The Ministry of Health will be consulting with athletic organizations and gyms on continuing to mitigate the risk of transmission in their sectors.  The ministry will consult with athletic organizations and gyms to determine how the guidelines, taken seriously by many, can be enhanced to ensure that the necessary measures are being taken to reduce COVID-19 transmission.

Reviewing Worship Guidelines

The Ministry of Health will be consulting with faith leaders and communities on improving current guidelines for worship services to continue to mitigate the risk of transmission in these settings and how the guidelines, taken seriously by many, can be enhanced to ensure that the necessary measures are being taken to reduce COVID-19 transmission.

Update to Re-Open Saskatchewan for Entertainment Transportation

Entertainment transportation (ie. party buses, group limousines and recreational vehicles) are no longer permitted. 

Information on the Re-Open Saskatchewan guidelines is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/re-open-saskatchewan-plan.