Sask. bursts bubble; limit on indoor gatherings goes up to 10

More Saskatchewan residents can come together, right now.

The Ministry of Health announced Tuesday that, effective immediately, the COVID-19 public health order limiting indoor gatherings to people from the same household was being relaxed.

Starting Tuesday, individual households can have up to 10 people in a home at any one time. The government said the people should be from two or three “consistent households.”

“With Saskatchewan generally experiencing a declining trend in confirmed cases and hospitalizations, the public health order is being amended to ensure that residents who continue to observe all public health measures can extend their household ‘bubbles,’ ” the government said in a media release.

That said, Dr. Saqib Shahab — Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer — encouraged people to be cautious about overextending their bubbles. He was particularly concerned about elderly people who have yet to be vaccinated.

“We think it’s safe to cautiously allow people to meet between households,” Shahab said during a media conference. “But I would say, for the most part, don’t change what you are doing.

“If you are meeting people from not in your household, meet outdoors. But if you do have to support a family member who you were not meeting because you were restricted by the public health order … do so cautiously.”

The previous measure took effect Dec. 17, so people had to go through Christmas and New Year’s without seeing family members who live in other households.

Shahab admitted that was “very hard” for people, so he hopes the change will give people an opportunity to address their mental health.

“This really allows for that social support, but it has to be done in as safe a manner as possible,” Shahab said.

“For those people who don’t need that right now, this is not the time to start having your bubble expand. Many people have been doing well shielding themselves, especially those who are 50 and older (with) friends (and) family having supported them in a safe manner. That should really be the mainstay.”

Premier Scott Moe had been hinting since last week the province may consider relaxing the measure concerning indoor gatherings.

For Moe, the key to Tuesday’s decision was the increasing number of vaccinations being done in Saskatchewan and the rising number of doses coming to the province.

“We’re leaving in place the broader set of recommendations and guidelines that stretch right across our communities for the time being,” Moe said.

“That being said, in the weeks ahead, as the vaccines become more available to Saskatchewan people — in particular, those elderly that have much more severe health outcomes — we are going to look at softening additional restrictions.”

While the indoor gathering limit increased Tuesday, the limit on outdoor gatherings remained at 10.

However, starting March 19, worship services will be allowed to have up to 30 per cent of a building’s seating capacity or 150 attendees, whichever is less. All other public health guidance remains in effect.

Those in attendance have to maintain two metres of physical distancing unless they’re part of the same household, and all of those in attendance as well as choirs/performers must wear masks throughout the service.

The changes do not apply to receptions or non-ceremonial gatherings.

More places could get similar considerations in the near-future.

“Our goal is to remove some restrictions on businesses in the coming weeks as more people continue to get vaccinated,” Moe said. “I’ve also heard from many people asking about sports and recreational activities, in particular how they pertain to youth.

“While we have no target date just yet, work is actively underway with our organizations and associations who operate seasonal activities (and) sports and recreational activities within our communities so they can prepare for their spring seasons and the potential of programming.”

Shahab said if case numbers trend upward in certain areas — including Regina, which has become the province’s hotspot — the easing of some measures could be reconsidered.

Moe is hopeful that isn’t the case.

“(Relaxing the limit on indoor gatherings) is a cautious approach, but it’s also an approach that I feel shows that we respect and trust the people of the province that they’re going to make decisions that are in the best interests of not only them but their family as well as we go through the next number of days and weeks as we get into a time where vaccines are far more accessible than they have been to this point,” Moe said.