Provincial Point of View
March 16, 2020

PROVINCE ANNOUNCES CLASS SUSPENSIONS EFFECTIVE MARCH 20, WIND DOWN PERIOD UNTIL THURSDAY

Today, the Government of Saskatchewan announced that all classes in Saskatchewan pre K-12 Schools will be suspended indefinitely, effective March 20, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

For the period of March 16 to March 19, pre K-12 classes will wind down. This means that parents who are able to keep children home should do so immediately, with no absence or grade impacts. Parents with limited childcare options have a window to plan for class suspensions.

On Sunday, March 15, the Chief Medical Health Officer indicated that school closures would be based on a number of factors including:

• Evidence of sustained transmission within the community;
• Rapid increase of local cases; and
• Transmission without a known link to travel or confirmed cases.

There continues to be no evidence that any of the above three criteria have been met. Children remaining in schools between March 16 and March 19 face a low risk of exposure to COVID-19. A preventative approach of proactive school closures beginning March 20 means reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Every student will receive a final grade based on their current grade, and students will progress to their next grade level next year. Every student who is eligible to graduate from Grade 12 this year will graduate. The Ministry of Education and School Divisions will work with Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Institutions to adapt entry requirements for programs commencing in the next academic year.

Teachers and staff can work from home or in schools as scheduled during the class cancellations. For the rest of the scheduled school year, the Ministry of Education will work with School Divisions and Saskatchewan Teachers to implement a supplemental curriculum program through distance and alternative learning methods. While this supplemental curriculum will have no impact on final grades, it will ensure that students seeking to continue learning will have the resources necessary to do so.

These measures apply to daycares that are co-located with schools, but do not apply to licensed daycare facilities outside of schools. Further measures regarding licensed daycare facilities are being considered and will be implemented at a later date.

Officials are currently examining options to provide childcare services for individuals that are providing essential services during the COVID-19 response.

COVID-19 Information:

We understand that residents have questions about COVID-19 in Saskatchewan.

If you have recently travelled internationally and are experiencing respiratory or flu-like symptoms, please call HealthLine 811.

For the latest advice to the public and information on prevention measures being taken, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus.

Public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.

Read more by viewing the PDF.

Provincial Point of View
March 15, 2020

UPDATES ON COVID-19

The main focus of this week's newsletter is COVID-19. The challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are top of mind as the number of cases increases around the world.

The folks at Saskatchewan Health Authority are doing a great job of keeping up with regular updates & answers to the most common questions on #COVID-19. I am carefully sharing verified information in this newsletter so you can be informed.

A huge shout out to all health care workers, scientists, emergency responders, as well as many others working day and night to help fight the Coronavirus. Special thanks to everyone on the front lines, all those contributing to keeping grocery store shelves stocked and people in our community watching out for one another. Thank you to everyone involved in ensuring the safety of our well being.

Please ONLY call HealthLine 811 if you have symptoms and need to be assessed. Do not call just to see how busy the line is - this impacts others trying to call who require help.

https://www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus

It is important the information you're reading is from a reliable source.

Premier Scott Moe, "Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Officer is doing a great job keeping us all well informed on what we need to know about coronavirus in our province.

We can all do our part to reduce the risk to ourselves and others by washing often, practicing social distancing, staying home if we are not feeling well and seeking medical advice to determine if we need to be tested."

Read more by viewing the PDF.