NDP calls for Sask. Party government to maintain current public health measures through the holiday season

REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Leader Ryan Meili called for Premier Moe and the Sask. Party government to fully commit to accepting Dr. Shahab’s recommendations through the holiday season and into the new year to avoid the potential of a fifth wave. 

“The message needs to be crystal clear. We need everyone in this province to keep doing their part, reduce their gathering sizes, and maintain indoor masking. The Premier needs to deliver this message now, not days before people head home to spend time with their loved ones,” said Meili. “We need this Premier to finally show some leadership and amplify the message coming from his Chief Medical Health Officer. He needs to fully commit to Dr. Shahab’s recommendations instead of waiting for a response from his focus groups.”

Dr. Shahab has publicly stated that the key to ensuring we lower our hospitalizations, increase our ICU capacity, and avoid a fifth wave is to maintain current public health restrictions into the new year. Modelling shows if the province maintains its restrictions, by late January we can reach a “sustainable” level of patients in our ICUs and reduce the current burden on our provincial healthcare capacity. This is essential for all those in Saskatchewan waiting on the resumption of surgical procedures, which are already seeing challenges reducing the current waitlist due to staffing capacity. 

“I know after last year’s holiday season, we all want to get together with loved ones and friends to celebrate those holiday traditions we deeply cherish. Thanks to the vaccine, we can enjoy something much closer to normal this year - but we’re not fully out of the woods yet,” said Meili. “I’m calling on the Premier to put the politics aside, so we can start this new year on the right foot.” 

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For more information please contact:

Brock Bowman

306-519-9549

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