Sask. reports two new cases, sets out guidelines for child-care facilities, places of worship

Saskatchewan’s child-care facilities and places of worship found out Friday what will be required of them as they look to reopen.

The provincial government updated its Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, laying out the guidelines for institutions that can reopen for business June 8 — the targeted start date for Phase 3.

In addition to child-care facilities and places of worship, restaurants, bars, gyms, exercise facilities and some personal services also are permitted to reopen that day.

The guidelines were released at the same time the government revealed there were two new cases of COVID-19 in the province and two more recoveries.

It’s the first time in nearly three weeks the number of recoveries from COVID-19 in Saskatchewan didn’t exceed the number of new cases in a single day.

New guidelines released

As of June 8, child-care facilities will be limited to a maximum of 15 children per building.

The government said that could mean 15 kids per facility or, if space permits, a facility reconfigured to allow a maximum of 15 children in one particular area. The areas must be separated by a barrier that would prevent children, toys and other items from moving between areas.

Groups of children and the staff members who are assigned to them must remain together and can’t mix with other groups.

Children also can attend only one facility to limit the risk of transmission.

Physical distancing and sanitizing requirements remain in effect.

Consultations with faith leaders helped the government create its guidelines for reopening places of worship.

They can open June 8 provided social distancing is observed between members of different households.

Gatherings will be limited to one-third of the set occupancy rate of the facility to a maximum of 30 people for the initial stage of reopening.

In places where more than one gathering is held in a day, the start and end times of the services must be staggered to allow those who attend one gathering to leave without contacting those who are arriving for the next service. In between, common surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected.

Singing is not recommended during the services, common cups are not permissible and the passing of offering baskets is not allowed.

Other new guidelines coming

The government said limited on-campus research activities will be allowed to resume at the universities of Regina and Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Polytechnic “in the near future.”

Plans have been created to ensure physical distancing, increased cleaning protocols and limited access to facilities.

Parks, playgrounds, swimming pools and splash pads remain closed in the province’s communities, but the use of greenspace is allowed — provided physical distancing is practised.

The most recent version of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, with more details on the new guidelines, can be found below.

A look at the numbers

The two new cases increase the total to date in Saskatchewan to 641. One of the new cases is in the south region and one is in the Saskatoon region.

The two recoveries raise the total so far to 570. The last time recoveries didn’t exceed new cases in a single day was May 10.

Ten Saskatchewan residents have died to date.

There are 61 active cases in the province, with 45 in the far north, seven in Saskatoon, five in the north, two in Regina and two in the south. The central region doesn’t have any active cases.

Four people are in hospital, including two in intensive care in Saskatoon. Two people — one in Regina and one in Saskatoon — are receiving inpatient care.

Of the total number of cases, 253 are from the far north, 169 are from the Saskatoon area, 112 reside in the north, 78 live in the Regina area, 17 are from the south and 12 are from the central region.

There have been 374 community contacts (including mass gatherings), 142 travellers, 77 people without any known exposures and 48 people who are under investigation by local public health.

So far, 50 health-care workers have contracted the virus.

In terms of ages, 229 cases have been in the 20-to-39 range, 195 have been between the ages of 40 and 59, 105 are aged 60 to 79, 94 involve people aged 19 under, and 18 are in the 80-and-over range.

There were 585 tests done Thursday, increasing the total in the province to date to 46,454.