Written by Maury Wrubleski

For the past week, premier Scott Moe has been hinting at the relaxation of current government health regulations. Moe contends that the Omicron variant and it’s high rate of transmission have rendered restrictions useless. The Premier has gone so far as to claim that vaccinations are no longer effective in preventing COVID transmission. Claiming that shifts are needed and that the population must learn to live with COVID, Moe and government officials have instructed the Saskatchewan Health Authority to begin winding down widely available PCR testing for the province.

In a statement on the government’s website, Moe acknowledged that widely available vaccinations and booster doses have decreased the risk of severe outcomes for most of those contracting COVID. The prevalence of home rapid testing also played into the decision.

The statement noted that PCR testing sites, as walk-ins or drive-thrus across the province will begin winding down. Instead lab testing will be performed only in certain circumstances and will be booked through HealthLine 811.

Current health guidelines are set to be reviewed by February 28, but Moe has stated that relaxation of current restrictions may be coming much earlier. 

For now, PCR testing is available only under certain conditions. The government states that the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) PCR testing will be reserved for priority populations at elevated risk for severe outcomes, which include:

  • Hospitalized patients, those admitted or transferred between acute, long-term care or personal care homes
  • High risk populations as ordered by the medical health officer: residents in long-term care, personal care homes and congregate living facilities; and international or travelers from areas of concern
  • Priority symptomatic persons: health care workers or essential workers who have a negative rapid antigen test but remain symptomatic; those with chronic illness (diabetes, history of cancer, cardiac failure, etc.)
  • Symptomatic people living or working in First Nation and Métis communities 
  • Surgical patients with symptoms or a positive rapid antigen test if scheduled or expecting to receive surgery within the next 90 days
  • Pregnant patients who are symptomatic and more than 30 weeks gestation 
  • Symptomatic immunocompromised individuals including all transplant donors and recipients prior to and post-transplant; all oncology patients prior to, receiving or post chemotherapy
  • Newborns born to COVID-19-positive parents, prior to discharge

Additionally, health care workers and essential workers as defined under the current public health order with negative rapid antigen results who remain symptomatic will continue to be eligible for PCR tests to protect Saskatchewan's essential services.

Medical health officers may order PCR testing as part of outbreak investigations, particularly in at-risk settings like long-term care and personal care homes, and other congregate living facilities. 

Related Stories