With more financial resources being allocated for divisions to access to deal with COVID-19 protocol the provincial government is now taking steps to ensure another crucial part with tracking and preventing its spread receives a boost. As classes return on September 8th the government is targeting a massive increase in testing capacity for the province.

"Many parents are also wondering about COVID testing in our schools," Premier Scott Moe said. "As we've moved through the stages of our reopening plan we have increased our testing capacity, opened up testing to anyone who wanted a test. Increasing our capacity has been vital to our success, so we want to increase it even more as we reopen our schools."

Details of the planned capacity increase reveal that the government is targeting an aggressive increase. The hope is to increase the daily capacity to 4,000 tests by early September. The target would represent a near doubling of the current estimated capacity. 

To aid in providing some peace of mind Premier Scott Moe also encouraged all teachers and education staff to get tested prior to the school year. To accommodate this request, education staff will now receive some priority.

"We're also encouraging all teachers and staff to seek testing prior to returning to school and at frequent points throughout the school year," Premier Moe added. "Priority access will be established for teachers and staff working in the school systems."

Referrals for the tests can be received by calling 811. In the near future, drive-through testing sites will be established in both Regina and Saskatoon. Only a health card will be required for access to a test at these sites.

School-specific COVD-19 protocol plans are expected to be made public on August 26th. Included in those will be detailed information about what to do if a child tests positive, and what a classroom and school would do to follow up and protect others should a student or staff member test positive.