On Tuesday, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) announced stricter measures for its facilities in the province in regard to screening and facemask requirements.

In an ongoing battle against COVID-19, all staff, physicians, learners, trainees, vendors and contractors; effectively most everyone who enters an SHA facility will be actively screened for flu-like symptoms when entering.

As well, it was announced that all staff and physicians that work in patient care or resident care areas or travel those areas, will be required to wear a protective face mask at all times.

In the daily afternoon press-conference, SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said that the measures would be phased in throughout SHA facilities beginning on April 15th.

The SHA facilities in question include long-term care facilities, hospitals and primary care sites.

"Safety is our top priority," Livingstone said. "Requiring these daily screening practices and adapting our approach to masking will help us stop the spread of COVID-19 and help protect our workforce to ensure our health care services are there when needed."