In yesterday’s press conference, Premier Scott Moe and Dr. Shahab spoke on the extension of public health measures in the province, and provided an update concerning healthcare workers and their vaccine timelines.

According to yesterdays update, the current public health order will remain in effect until March 19, 2021. Public health officials will continue to monitor COVID-19 transmission trends throughout this period.

Also announced by the Premier, was that amended priority sequencing will add an estimated 11,500 people to the Phase 1 priority population sequencing. Health care workers previously included in the Phase 1 priority sequencing included health care workers in emergency departments, intensive care units, COVID-19 wards and COVID testing and assessment staff among others.

Now, individuals directly involved in delivering COVID-19 immunizations in Phase 2 including physicians (up to 2,600), pharmacists (up to 1,200) and other SHA health care providers involved in delivering COVID-19 immunizations will be apart of the Phase 1 plans. The list also includes:

• Anesthesia/operating rooms;
• All other critical care areas;
• Hemodialysis;
• Vaccination teams;
• Radiology technicians;
• ECG/echo;
• Phlebotomy/lab workers handling COVID-19 specimens; and
• Home care (direct care providers).

Phase 2 of the vaccine delivery plan remains unchanged and will continue as previously announced. Phase 2 will focus on the general population in 10 year increments, starting with ages 60 to 69. Phase 2 will continue to provide targeted access for adults and staff in group homes for persons with intellectual disabilities and shelters, and adults identified as clinically extremely vulnerable.

Also announced in yesterday’s update, a Saskatoon pub was recently given the $14,000 fine for failure to abide by health orders, and 18 establishments in Saskatoon and Regina were recently inspected, though no enforcement was warranted.