Released on March 15, 2020
While concern over spread of Coronavirus COVID-19 continues to rise, the risk in Saskatchewan still remains low but is increasing. The decision to close schools is made upon the advice of the provincial Chief Medical Health Officer. We all need to ensure we are taking measures as individuals to maintain social distancing including staying home if sick and keeping children out of school if sick.
“Any recommendation to close schools is based on risk assessment and made on a case-by-case basis,” Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Office Dr. Saqib Shahab said. “The decision to close schools should not be made in the absence of valid public health reasons and the benefits and risks need to be considered carefully.”
The positive cases in Saskatchewan are still primarily travel-related and there is no sustained community transmission at this time. As we learn more or if the situation changes there could be school closures locally on the direction of the local Medical Health Officer or more broadly on the direction of the Chief Medical Health Officer.
The criteria for school closures is based on a number of factors including:
- Evidence of sustained transmission within the community
- Rapid increase of local cases
- Transmission without a known link to travel or confirmed cases.
New Travel Guidance for Residents Travelling Internationally and Returning to Saskatchewan:
The Federal Government and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer recommend returning to Canada and avoiding non-essential international travel until further notice.
All travellers returning from international destinations - including the United States – need to self-isolate and monitor their health for 14 days upon return. Travellers returning from within Canada are advised to self-monitor for 14 days upon return. Members of the public who have travelled outside the province in the previous 14 days should not visit hospitals or long-term care facilities.
COVID-19 INFORMATION
We understand that residents have questions about COVID-19 in Saskatchewan.
If you have recently travelled internationally and are experiencing respiratory or flu-like symptoms, please call HealthLine 811.
For the latest advice to the public and information on prevention measures being taken, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus.
Public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: media@health.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-3594