The Saskatchewan government is going full speed ahead with its plan to restart the provincial economy after COVID-19.
In a televised address April 22, Premier Scott Moe announced the unveiling of what the province has termed "Re-Open Saskatchewan", a plan Moe said had been developed with provincial officials including Saskatchewan chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab.
The plan will be unveiled to the public April 23.
Moe said the province had "flattened the curve" and would be working to return to a semi-normal state in five separate phases.
"As we proceed with each phase, we will carefully monitor COVID-19 case numbers and adjust the plan as required," Moe said in the address.
"As businesses are allowed to reopen and employees return to work, they will have to follow stringent physical distancing and cleaning procedures, just like the grocery stores and other businesses that are open and operating safely today."
Saskatchewan reported six new cases of COVID-19 April 22. Out of 326 cases reported in Saskatchewan, 61 remain active.
"Because of the tremendous effort of Saskatchewan people and the success we have had in reducing the spread, I think we can begin to provide a bit of optimism and a roadmap for businesses and services to gradually reopen and allow for more people to return to work," said Moe in the address.
"Again, the only reason we can begin to have this conversation tonight is because together, we have reduced the spread and flattened the curve."
In a response to Moe's address, Saskatchewan NDP leader Ryan Meili said he hoped the new provincial plan would include protection for workers and families.
"We all want to get back to normal life. These last few weeks have been hard on so many people," he said.
"We first need to make sure that the steps forward are safe steps, that our healthcare system is ready, with protective equipment, with testing, with enough capacity to respond to new cases. We need to make sure the supports are in place for workers, for families and for the most vulnerable in our province."
