Premier Moe to announce more COVID-19 rule relaxations, wind down business relief program

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says details are coming soon on when nearly all businesses in the province will be allowed to reopen.

He says many businesses are already operating again, except for some bingo halls and casinos.

The premier says specific dates on when more COVID-19 restrictions can lift is to be unveiled Tuesday.

However, Moe says that with the reopenings, the government’s $50-million emergency program for small and medium-sized businesses will be winding down.

The grants were to go to businesses impacted by public health orders to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The Opposition NDP says the Saskatchewan Party government has spent about half of the program’s funding and that applications have been rejected because its parameters are too narrow.