According to Scott Moe and Saskatchewan public health officials, the time has come to lay the first bricks in the foundation on which the Saskatchewan economy will be re-opened.

The debate on whether that is premature, or if it is a move that needs to be done is one that will be discussed in the coming days. Moe himself admitted during the press conference that this is a decision that needs to be done with caution in order to minimize the risks; calling it a dimmer switch as opposed to a light switch that can immediately be flipped back on.

"If we move too quickly," He said, "We risk increasing the spread of COVID-19. If we move too slowly, we risk permanent damage to the livelihoods of thousands of Saskatchewan people. Businesses that never reopen and jobs that never come back."

There is no question that the measures taken in Saskatchewan to flatten the curve have been effective.

With just 61 active cases in the province and five in hospital, those numbers are roughly 70 percent lower than the Canadian average, while the number of serious outcomes - hospitalizations and deaths, remain more than 90 percent lower than the Canadian average.

Objectively, Moe says, we're doing well.

But Saskatchewan is part of a larger country, and it has to take that into consideration as other provinces with higher rates surround it; something that the Premier readily admits, saying that restrictions on travel and gatherings will be some of the last to be lifted.

"We know that, in Saskatchewan and elsewhere, the largest and most dangerous outbreaks have been related to travel, to large gatherings, and to seniors care homes. So all of those restrictions will remain in place."

The five-phase plan, developed in close consultation with Saskatchewan's Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab, will begin in the middle of May and will keep the physical distancing and other procedures put in place by grocery stores and other essential businesses currently operating while allowing other businesses to slowly re-open in a staggered approach.

Phase One begins on May 4, 2020.

  • May 4, 2020
    • Dentists, Optometrists, Physical Therapy, Chiropractors and other previously restricted medical services.
    • Fishing and boat launches.
  • May 15, 2020 
    • Golf courses with specific guidelines such as physical distancing and other measures such as limits of one person per golf cart.
  •  June 1, 2020
    • Parks and campgrounds will open with precautionary measures such as remaining at 50 percent capacity by keeping every second site empty and being restricted ot Saskatchewan residents only. 

Phase Two will follow two weeks later on May 19, 2020.

  • May 19, 2020
    • Non-essential retail can begin to open. This includes, for example, clothes, flower shops, sporting goods, jewelry, toy stores and others.
    • Select personal services such as hairdressers, massage therapists, acupuncturists and others.

The final three phases do not have dates determined.

Phase 3 - TBD

  • Remaining personal services, such as tattoo artists, cosmetology and manicurists, tanning salons and other personal services for example.
  • Gyms and Fitness Centres.
  • Restaurants and food services at 50 percent capacity.
  • Bars and licensed establishments, again at 50 percent capacity.
  • Child Care facilities.
  • As well, the size of public and private gatherings will be raised to 15 people except for establishments (above) that are allowed up to 50 percent of capacity.

Phase 4 - TBD

  • Re-opening of indoor and outdoor recreation and entertainment facilities such as casinos, bingo halls, curling rinks, swimming pools, and others.
  • Increase the size of public and private gatherings to 30 people.

Phase 5 - TBD

  • Consideration of lifting some long term restrictions.

 Moe has said that long-term restrictions on travel will remain in place for the foreseeable future. As well, protective measures for vulnerable populations will remain in place, such as the recently announced staff cohorting at long term care homes, and extra screening at hospitals and care facilities.

Physical distancing will remain the order of the day throughout all five phases of course, as well as mandatory self-isolation for anyone confirmed to have COVID-19.

Swift Current Online will have more on these new measures in the coming days.