Only certain businesses can remain open, according to new anti-COVID-19 restrictions released by provincial government.
As of Thursday, March 26, businesses that aren’t on the province’s allowed business list cannot provide public-facing services. They can expand into online retailing, or provide pick-up or delivery services.
On that same day, the size of public and private gatherings is limited to a maximum of ten people.
“I know everyone right now is trying to find the right balance between social distancing and keeping our economy and in Saskatchewan going, but we are already seeing Saskatchewan businesses that are adapting and evolve,” said Scott Moe, Saskatchewan’s premier, at a teleconference on March 25. “Saskatchewan businesses are creating a new economy, a social distancing economy, if you will.”
The government list of allowed businesses include production, processing and manufacturing and the supporting supply chains; transportation; community services; media and telecommunications; construction including maintenance and repair; select retail services; and banking and financial services. The full list can be found below.
The province has also published a critical services list that includes health care and public health workers; government and community services; and law enforcement, public safety and first responders. The full list for that can also be found below.
“If you still are unsure, or if you feel that it is essential that your business is allowed to stay open during this time, you can contact the government's business response team,” Moe said.
The team can be contacted at supportforbusiness@gov.sk.ca.
“Each and every one of you need to know that you are doing your part,” Moe said. “Every one of you is part of a massive civil defense effort to protect our people, to protect our families and to protect our province unlike anything most of us have seen in our lifetime. We are asking a lot but it is necessary.”
Allowable Business Services
Production, Processing and Manufacturing and the Supporting Supply Chains
- Production, processing and supply chains of the mining sector
- Production, processing and supply chains of the forestry sector
- Production, processing and supply chains of the energy and oil and gas sectors
- Production, processing and supply chains of the agriculture sector, including animal care
- Production, processing and supply chains of the manufacturing sector
- Businesses, facilities and services that support and carry‐out the two‐way movement of essential goods within integrated North American and Global supply chains
Transportation and Logistics
- Public transport and transport of people
- Airports and any associated maintenance workers
- Transport, storage and distribution of goods
- Road construction and maintenance
- Service stations and mechanical repair of motor vehicles, trucks and specialized equipment for industries
- Taxis, ridesharing and paratransit services
- Postal, courier and parcel delivery services
- Businesses engaged in or supporting the operation, maintenance and repair of critical infrastructure (i.e. railways, dams, bridges, highways, erosion control structures, etc.)
Media and Telecommunications
- Telecommunications (network and equipment)
- Cable distributors
- Information Communication Technology
- National media
- Local media
Construction Including Maintenance and Repair
- Construction firms
- Services performed by trades people, residential and commercial installation services and landscaping services
- Rental equipment
- Building maintenance, repair and housekeeping
Retail Services
- Grocery and other food stores
- Pharmacies
- Convenience stores
- Hardware, home supply and appliance stores
- Funeral homes, cremation and cemeteries
- Restaurants (take out or delivery only)
- Hotels, motels, shared rental units and similar facilities, including student residences
- Cleaners, drycleaners and laundromats
- Medical supplies and services
- Pet food stores and supplies
- Movers
- Work equipment (safety and protection)
- Automotive dealers, auto repair and autobody shops
- Stores selling beer, wine, liquor or cannabis products
- Gas stations, diesel, propane and heating fuel providers
- Businesses that supply office products and services
- Rental and leasing services
- Professional services including lawyers and para‐legals, engineers and translators
- Land registration services and real estate agent services
- Businesses providing security services including private security guards, monitoring or surveillance equipment and services
- Businesses providing staffing services, including temporary help
Banking and Financial Services
- Financial services
- Insurance services
- Payroll services
- Accounting services
- Financial market services
Critical Public Services
Health Care and Public Health Workers
- Occupations in health and social services
- Pre‐hospital and emergency services (i.e. paramedics, dispatchers)
- Private professional resources offices (health network)
- Pharmacies
- Dentistry (emergency services)
- Optometry (emergency services)
- Physiotherapy (emergency services)
- Laboratories and specimen collection centres
- Caregivers
- Medical facilities (emergency services)
- Businesses that provide products and/or services that support the health sector or that provide health services
- Private seniors’ residences and services
- Home services for seniors, the disabled and the vulnerable
- Specialized resources in accommodation (i.e. domestic violence, homelessness, addictions)
- 811 and 911 call centre workers
- Canadian Red Cross
- Canadian Blood Services
- Production, supply and distribution of drugs, vaccines and pharmaceutical goods and medical equipment, including laboratory and research centres
Law Enforcement, Public Safety and First Responders
- Police services, including the distribution of emergency calls
- Fire services
- Corrections
- Special constables
- Security agencies
- Legal and professional services that support the legal and justice system
- Civil security, coroners and pathology
- Forest firefighters and all types of professionals supporting civil security operations
- Courthouse (staff required to maintain minimum operations)
- Communication services
- Professional and social services that support the legal and justice system
- 911 call centre workers
- Hazardous material responders from government and the private sector
- Workers, including contracted vendors, who maintain digital infrastructure supporting law enforcement and emergency service options
Government and Community Services
- Educators and support staff for emergency child care
- Online higher education
- Training related to jobs and critical public services
- Providers of goods and services for vulnerable citizens
- Food inspection
- Waste collection/disposal
- Air ambulance, STARS
- Suicide prevention services
- Support services for victims of domestic violence
- Income security and social security
- All utilities (i.e. power, gas, water/wastewater, telephone) and service providers
- Resources deemed essential by the municipalities (i.e. administration, public workers, etc.)
- Animal shelters
