Beaches and playgrounds across Saskatchewan will be able to re-open this Friday (June 12).
Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab understands people are wanting to have kids go and play at playgrounds.
“This weekend I actually saw a bit of a ‘toddler playground rebellion’ where I saw some parents cutting away the tapes and putting their toddlers onto swings. I think there is a lot of frustration,” Shahab said. “In B.C. for example some playgrounds are open, so I can understand the need for parents to get their children out onto playgrounds.”
Shahab says the guidelines for beaches and playgrounds are being developed and is confident they will be released before this weekend.
Emergency Departments Re-opening
Re-opening dates have been set for eight of the twelve Emergency Departments that were temporarily closed.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said the ER in Kerrobert will reopen on June 12, Arcola and Leader on June 16, Preeceville on June 18, Biggar and Oxbow on June 22, Davidson on June 24 and Herbert on June 25.
Moe also noted the Saskatchewan Health Authority is still working with the remaining facilities, in Broadview, Wolseley, Radville and Lanigan to resolve issues unrelated to COVID-19, such as staffing, before re-opening.
The reason for the temporarily closures, according to the Health Authority from a news release from May 26, was to “help build capacity for any potential surge in COVID-19 cases and to protect as much as possible against outbreaks in these facilities.”