Key Takeaways:
- As of 12:01 a.m. Monday, proof of immunization or a negative test is no longer required to enter some businesses and public venues.
- According to the province, proof of vaccination records and QR codes will continue to be available for use during travel or in other jurisdictions.
The COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy in Saskatchewan has come to an end.
Evidence of immunization or a negative test is no longer needed to enter some businesses and other public venues as of 12:01 a.m. Monday.
“We are able to remove this policy because it has served its purpose. “It has significantly increased our immunization rates in the province since it was introduced,” Premier Scott Moe stated at a press conference on February 8.
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“Now that we’re dealing with a completely different strain, the Omicron variant, the benefits of this strategy no longer outweigh the costs.”
Proof of vaccination records and QR codes, according to the province, will continue to be available used during travel or in other jurisdictions.
The policy was first implemented on October 1 to increase vaccination rates during the Delta wave.
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“The COVID-19 Omicron variant is more transmissible, has a shorter incubation period, and many cases go unnoticed.” “Evidence shows that a third/booster dose of vaccine provides significantly improved protection against severe illness and hospitalization,” the province said in a statement announcing the policy change.
Until the end of the month, when public health orders expire, Saskatchewan’s indoor masking mandate and five-day self-isolation requirements will stay in effect.
While Saskatchewan was the first to announce plans to lift public health restrictions, others have followed suit in the last week.
Ontario announced on Monday that its proof of vaccination policy would be phased out beginning in March.
Alberta’s vaccination requirements were lifted last week, and Manitoba’s public health orders will be lifted on March 15.
Source: CTV News
