A new public health order is coming into effect on Monday, expanding on the number of businesses that will require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. 

The following businesses will be required to follow the new public health order starting next week: 

  • Seated dining in all restaurants including fast food restaurants; 
  • Liquor manufacturers conducting retail liquor sales; and 
  • Liquor stores with an integrated permit that also holds a liquor restaurant or tavern permit. 

“Changes being made today come into effect on Monday. It gives those fast food restaurants that weren't already requiring proof of vaccination at the point of entry for their in-person dining a little bit of time to operationalize that,” said executive director of the business response team Ken Dueck. 

Proof of vaccination or a negative test will not be required for those using pick-up or delivery services, at food courts or entering a premise to use the washroom. 

Although this public health order replaces the one that came into effect on Oct. 1, proof of vaccination or negative test is still required for most non-essential businesses and entertainment venues including: 

  • Restaurants, including restaurants in hotels or other lodgings; 
  • Nightclubs, bars, taverns, and manufacturer hospitality suites, buses and other establishments and transportation licensed by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority for the sale and service of alcohol; 
  • Liquor stores that have been issued standalone retail store permits issued by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority; and 
  • Cannabis stores that have been issued standalone retail store permits by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. 
  • conference centres, meeting rooms and banquet facilities, except when being used for the purposes of a court or tribunal proceeding; 
  • theatres; 
  • cinemas; 
  • bingo halls, casinos and other gaming establishments; 
  • concerts; 
  • live-music venues; 
  • fitness centres and gyms; and  
  • facilities hosting sporting events where tickets are required that have GST charged on the ticket. 

So far, Dueck said the transition has been going smoothly for businesses and they haven’t had many issues with the verifier app. 

“It hasn't been a real hot topic. In terms of the calls that we get on our 800 number for the business response team, it does seem to be that businesses are finding it relatively easy to use. I won't say that there aren't any calls about that,” he said. 

Exemptions are still being made for the following businesses: 

  • retail businesses including grocery stores; 
  • businesses holding an integrated liquor retail store permit that do not also hold a tavern or restaurant permit issued by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority; 
  • businesses holding an integrated cannabis retail store permit issued by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority; 
  • places of worship (including weddings/funerals/wakes); 
  • personal services, health care services, professional services; 
  • public libraries; 
  • hotels or lodging including self-serve food options located within the hotel or other lodging; 
  • facilities hosting amateur sporting events, including youth athletics and recreational leagues; 
  • private gatherings at public venues (weddings/funerals/wakes/meetings); and 
  • private gatherings at private residences. 

Acceptable for proof of vaccination includes a QR code/MySaskHealthRecord certificate as a screenshot or in the SK Vax Wallet app, a printed hard copy of MySaskHealthRecord certificate, wallet cards issued at the time of vaccination or a COVID-19 vaccination printout from public health. 

Negative COVID-19 test results must be from within 72 hours. Self-administered take-home rapid antigen tests will be not accepted as proof of a negative test. A list of locations and labs offering testing services can be found here