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Saskatchewan is set to be the first province in Canada to lift its proof of vaccination policy, which Premier Scott Moe said will hopefully be the first step in healing “divisions” across the province. The public health order that requires the provision of proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result to enter provincial facilities and certain public businesses will expire at midnight on Feb. 13, two weeks earlier than originally intended. Masking and selfisolation policies included in a separate public health order will remain in place until Feb. 28, at which time Moe said government will not be renewing them. Vaccination policies remain in effect for federally regulated sectors, including transportation, as they are under the jurisdiction of
the federal government. “For today, where we are with reducing hospitalizations, reducing numbers, we’re confident as we move ahead with this phased approach, we are going to take these steps back to normal,” said Moe. The provincial government feels the policy has “run its course” of effectiveness for the public, said Moe, and is ready to be left behind. “The benefits of this policy no longer outweigh the costs,” said Moe. “It proved to be effective in finding our way through the Delta wave and increased our vaccination rates markedly here in the province, but when you look at the challenges with transmissibility with the Omicron wave, [the policy] has most certainly run its course.” Moe admitted he was “reluctant” to introduce a vaccine policy to Saskatchewan
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back in September, as it “would create deep divisions in our families and friendship groups in our province and in communities,” but did so to address the rising fourth wave of cases. He said the policy created “two classes of citizens” based on vaccination status and the decision to remove it from use was made in the interest of restoring universal access to public amenities. “It is a divisive policy, it does segregate people in our communities and society,” said Moe. “It’s time for us to heal the divisions in our communities.” The province’s COVID-19 response is now moving to an endemic approach, said officials last week, and will proceed similarly to how other respiratory viruses are treated by public health. Continued on Page 6
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