New public health orders issued in Saskatchewan on Tuesday to slow the spread of COVID-19 will restrict the size of household bubbles.
The government said that effective immediately, household bubbles are limited to immediate households only throughout all of Saskatchewan.
Private indoor gatherings had previously been limited to immediate household members only for Regina and area.
“We had hoped to avoid reinstating these restrictions, but it’s something we need to do for just a few more weeks until we can get some more people vaccinated,” said Paul Merriman, Saskatchewan’s health minister.
“I strongly believe we are getting close to having enough public vaccinations that we can begin to relax public health orders and restrictions, but we’re not there yet.”
The province is also limiting the size of worship gatherings to no more than 30 people as of 12:01 a.m. on Friday, April 16.
The province said the new measures remain in place until April 26, at which time it will be reviewed.
“I know some people may be wondering why these measures are provincewide. While cases may be low in their part of the province, transmission has been increasing in many areas of Saskatchewan,” Merriman said.
“Until more of us get vaccinated, there is still a chance of COVID-19.”
The Saskatchewan NDP believes the province hasn’t done enough in terms of restrictions saying more serious steps need to be taken.
“Many parts of Saskatchewan have far higher case counts than Regina did when this government applied the current restrictions to the city, yet today’s measures are not as diligent as those originally applied to Regina. This lack of consistency is causing confusion across the province,” said Vicki Mowat, Saskatchewan NDP health critic.
“It’s so easy to get caught up in the numbers and forget there are real people, real Saskatchewan families dealing with illness and the loss of lives attached to those numbers.”
Regina and area
Restaurants and bars remain closed to in-person dining in the Regina zone, but takeout and delivery service are permitted.
Most event venues supporting 30 persons or less are not permitted to operate.
Regina remains under a travel advisory, with travel into and out of the region not recommended unless absolutely necessary.
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