The opposition NDP is calling on the provincial government to implement a three-week “Circuit Breaker” to address the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan.

NDP leader Ryan Meili released a video on Facebook on Wednesday, saying the number of cases is concerning.

“The people are worried, the frontline health care workers people out in the community, seniors and their families and business owners. We know that if these cases continue to rise, it will hurt people and damage our economy.”

Beginning on Thursday, the government announced that masks will be mandatory province-wide. Indoor private gatherings will also be reduced from 10 down to five and larger private gatherings should take place in a public venue such as a restaurant or community hall.

All of the public health measures will be revisited in a month, on Dec. 17.

The NDP is calling the actions of the Saskatchewan Party government “half measures” and wants to see more done to flatten the curve.

Meili described what the three-week “circuit breaker” would look like.

“Close down the non-essential businesses, support businesses with the financial support they and their workers need to get through this time, keep our schools open. Take the action right now.”

The NDP’s full plan would include the following for a three-week period:

  • Close non-essential businesses and allow retail stores to maintain delivery and curbside service
  • Limit essential businesses to 25 per cent capacity
  • Allow bars and restaurants to operate with take-out and delivery only
  • Close sports, fitness and recreation facilities
  • Close bingo halls and casinos
  • Keep schools open at Level 3 throughout the province, with support to reduce class sizes 
  • Bring back the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment Program and fix it to make it more accessible
  • Provide gap supports - similar to what is offered in Manitoba - for businesses that are not eligible for federal supports
  • Provide small business innovation grants for business owners that wish to upgrade to online retailing, delivery platforms and virtual service delivery
  • Bring back the moratorium on residential evictions and stop the clawbacks on housing and income assistance
  • Supports for businesses to keep their employees on the payroll and emergency supports for workers who still find themselves temporarily out of work