Saskatchewan officially hit the targets for Stage 3 of the reopening plan last weekend. To trigger the lifting of the final COVID-19 health restrictions, 70% of residents over the age of 18 were required to have received their first dose. With the milestone being reached on June 20tth, July 11th has been set for the beginning of stage 3. It's a milestone that has many excited. In essence it's a date to mark the end of the pandemic.

In making the Step-3 announcement the provincial government was quick to thank everyone that rolled up their sleeve to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

"The reason we are able to do this is because so many of you have done your part," Premier Scott Moe said in the announcement. "Thank you Saskatchewan. Thank you for following all of the restrictions and guidelines these past 15 months and thank you for doing your part to protect yourself and those around you."

While achieving 70% has always been the goal, it was only the first goal. Despite the vaccination rate some residents are still at risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. As a result the government is now aiming to see the vaccination rate climb even higher.

"It is very important," Rosetown-Elrose MLA Jim Reiter shared. "I would encourage everybody to please get the vaccination. If you look at what it's done, as those vaccinations have increased our incidence of people having COVID has decreased, people in hospitals decreased and people in the ICU has decreased. So, there's a direct correlation. As soon as you get vaccinated, that’s huge. While we're at roughly 70% right now, we want to encourage everybody who hasn't got vaccinated to please go as well. That number should just keep going higher."

The push to see vaccination rates continue to rise is likely being fueld by slowing numbers that now has the province in last place when compared with with Canadian provinces. As of June 23rd the National vaccination rate was sitting at just over 64%, while here in Saskatchewan that number was at 57.75%. This according to data made available by the federal government. Only about 25% of Saskatchewan is fully vaccinated.

With the rate dragging slightly, Mr. Reiter was quick to remind everyone at what a return to normal can represent.

"Those of you who haven’t received your second dose yet, please go when it’s your turn," Mr. Reiter added. "We want to have friends over for barbecue. It would be nice to just go grab a beer with some friends. I love the thought, you saw the video actually the premiere at an empty football stadium, I’d love to go to a rider game. All of those things to me are symbols of life getting back to normal, and they can’t happen soon enough."

As of June 22, total doses deliver in Saskatchewan was sitting at just over 1,005,000.