Premier Announces Compulsory Masking And Other Unnamed Measures - Blames Those Not Being Vaccinated
Commencing tomorrow masks will now be required in all indoor spaces that is the word from Premier Scott Moe. The masking mandate will be the start of measures designed to encourage people who are declining to be vaccinated against COVID - 19 to get vaccinated.
In a Facebook video Premier Moe states for the past few months he has issued a very simple message “over and over get vaccinated.”
“The vast majority of Saskatchewan has done their part, unfortunately we are facing a fourth wave resulting in increased case numbers and a significant capacity pressure in our health care system which is close to its capacity exceeding what we have faced before,” Premier Moe said.
Premier Moe said unlike previous waves the fourth wave is “being driven by one group which consists of about 20 to 30 percent of our population. Those that have made the choice to remain unvaccinated. New cases are overwhelmingly in unvaccinated people.”
The Premier went on to state hospitalizations were “overwhelmingly unvaccinated people.”
“These aren’t measures we have wanted to implement and as a government we have been patient in providing opportunity and the access to get vaccinated, but that patience has now come to an end. The vast majority of Saskatchewan people have done the right thing and they are growing tired of the reckless decision of the unvaccinated that is driving our fourth wave.”
“The evidence from the data we have seen is quite clear. As a Province and as a Government we have been very patient, possibly too patient. The time for patience is now over. The choice to not get vaccinated is not just affecting you it is now seriously impacting those that did the right thing. And it is now seriously affecting those who cannot get vaccinated our children.”
“It is prolonging the pandemic for everyone”
“Very soon it is going to create complications for those who have decided to remain unvaccinated.”
Premier Moe said later today he would be announcing measures and “making it less comfortable for those to remain unvaccinated in Saskatchewan.”
The mandatory masking policy will commence tomorrow and targeted to be lifted in late October combined with a negative test policy that will have been in place for three to four weeks by the time the masking mandate is rescinded.
A negative test or proof of vaccination (vaccination passports) will come into effect October 1st.
The vaccination passport policy will apply to several businesses, establishments and event venues, Moe said, adding the policy will exclude services necessary for every citizen of the province to access.
Additionally all government and Crown agency employees will be required to be vaccinated.
On Monday evening Council passed a mask mandate in all City-owned facilities effective this Monday. The Province was blamed by the Council for not taking the lead role on the issue. The Province’s actions now make the City’s upcoming mandate moot.