Saskatoon leisure facilities to require proof of vaccination or negative test

Anyone over the age of 12 will be required to show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result for public access to leisure facilities in Saskatoon.

The policy, which aligns with the provincial requirement for various businesses and event venues to do the same, will take effect Friday, Oct. 1, 2021.

Leisure centres within Saskatoon will be abiding by these measures.

Based on the inclusion of indoor fitness centres and gyms, the city has decided that proof of vaccination or negative test will be required to access fitness rooms, weight rooms and gymnasiums in City of Saskatoon Leisure Centres, including Cosmo Civic Centre, Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre, Lakewood and Lawson Civic Centres, Saskatoon Field House and Shaw Centre.

Customers and visitors should plan in advance for extra time during their visits for the additional step of providing proof of vaccination or a negative test.

Indoor arenas will not require proof of vaccination or a negative test to access the facility.

Masks will be required at all times while visiting indoor arena and leisure centre facilities except for individuals 18 and over and on-ice officials while participating in sports activities for the duration of the sport or activity, so long as they provide proof of vaccination or a negative test. Masks are required outside of these activities, however.

Individuals under the age of 18 are exempt from wearing masks during sports and activities.

According to the provincial government, the only acceptable forms of full vaccination include:

• According to the Province, the only acceptable forms of proof of full vaccination are:
• Wallet cards received at time of immunization
• A printed copy of your MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificate (with or without a QR code) or a ‘screenshot’ of your vaccine certificate (with or without a QR code) saved to your device
• An earlier version of your MySaskHealthRecord COVID-19 vaccine certificate
• A COVID-19 vaccine printout from Saskatchewan Health Authority Public Health
• To come – A QR code/MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificate uploaded to SK Vax Wallet app which will be available free from Google Play or Apple App stores
• Official proof of vaccine documents from other provinces may be considered

Affidavits obtained by individuals stating exemption from vaccination will not suffice to allow an individual access into an establishment requiring proof of vaccination in Saskatchewan come Friday as vaccinations are not mandatory in the province. If no proof of vaccination is provided, proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test must be presented for access into a designated business.

COVID-19 testing to show a negative result to gain access into a business must be done at the expense of the individual. Self-administered take-home rapid antigen tests will not be accepted as valid proof of negative COVID-19 test results.

ID will also be required from anyone at or over the age of 18. Youth between the ages of 12 and 17 will have to show ID also, unless accompanied by an adult with proof of vaccination and ID. Youth without a photo ID can use other forms of government-issued ID such as a birth certificate or health services card.