SHA issues travel advisory for northern communities

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has issued an advisory for northern Saskatchewan residents to avoid non-essential travel outside the north.

In a release, the SHA says the Office of the Northern Medical Health Officers for the SHA, the Athabasca Health Authority and the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority are advising all northern residents to avoid travel outside the communities unless it’s for essential services.

The SHA says this strong recommendation has been prompted by increasing COVID-19 case numbers in the north, many of which are linked to travel outside of the north – to areas in the south and to other provinces.

Regional medical health officers are specifically advising against all non-essential travel outside the Northern Saskatchewan Administrative District effective immediately and until further notice and that travel between communities within the Northern Saskatchewan Administrative District be limited to only that for essential services. This is also effective immediately and until further notice.

Examples of essential services can be found on the Critical Public Services list on the Government of Saskatchewan website.