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People in Saskatchewan won’t have to limit the number of guests around their tables this Thanksgiving.
The Government of Saskatchewan says it won’t be ordering gathering limits for the holiday, despite significant numbers of active cases and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in the province.
In a statement released late Tuesday, the provincial government said public health orders that might restrict gathering sizes would not be imposed for the upcoming holiday weekend.
The statement reads: “The vast majority of new cases and hospitalizations are unvaccinated residents and those who are not vaccinated should get vaccinated.”
NDP Leader Ryan Meili was among those who had said the government should provide guidance to residents about Thanksgiving gatherings.
The government responded with a list of recommendations for the holiday, suggesting people should gather outdoors as much as possible, know the vaccination status of guests, and follow mask and vaccination requirements at public places.
Last week, Saskatoon’s city council voted unanimously to send a letter to the province’s chief medical health officer, Dr. Shaqib Shahab.
The letter requested help in the form of limits on gathering sizes for the city to help limit the transmission of COVID-19.
After the city made its request, Health Minister Paul Merriman commended its actions.
“I applaud the city council for being proactive and looking out for their community,” Merriman said, promising the government would consider the request.
Requests to interview Merriman and Shahab have been made by 650 CKOM, but there wasn’t any response by the time of publication.
Tips to gather safely this weekend
Without health orders on gathering restrictions in place, the City of Saskatoon shared tips to its social media pages on how to safely celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend.
The suggestions include gathering in an outdoor setting to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and following masking and proof-of-vaccination or negative test requirements if celebrating at a restaurant or in a public space.
The city cautioned against eating shared food in close quarters and recommended being aware of the vaccination status of guests, noting that children under the age of 12 are at an elevated risk of transmission.
Unvaccinated residents shouldn’t gather with friends and family over the weekend due to a higher risk of spreading the virus.