The Saskatchewan Health Authority has increase requirements surrounding masks and screening for COVID-19 in all health care facilities across the province.

On Wednesday, staff, physicians, learners, trainees, vendors and contractors will be screened daily as they enter any SHA facility or program area to ensure they do not have any influenza like illness.

As an added level of protection all staff and physicians who work in patient/client/resident care areas or travel through those areas will be wearing a mask at all times.

These measures are being put in place to protect everyone from exposure to, and spread of COVID-19.

CEO Scott Livingstone said safety remains the top priority. “That is why we continue to escalate our efforts to protect our patients and health care providers. Requiring these daily screening practices and adapting our approach to masking will help us stop the spread of COVID-19 and help protect our workforce to ensure our health care services are there when needed,” he said in a news release.

The implementation of screening measures will be phased in throughout SHA facilities including long-term care facilities and programs, including long-term care facilities, hospitals, primary care sites, as well as affiliates working toward a standard of daily screening and temperature checks twice daily consistent with self-monitoring and the most recent health Canada guidelines.