The Saskatchewan NDP is asking the province to be transparent on how it is preparing for a possible third wave of COVID-19.

NDP Health Critic Vicki Mowat says with multiple Covid variants circulating in Canada, the government needs to let Saskatchewan residents know what they’re doing to protect them.

“The stakes are high,” said Mowat. “A third wave could overwhelm our already stretched and stressed health care system.”

Mowat says the government failed to act when the province was hit with the second wave, claiming that Saskatchewan families have paid the price.

“While other provinces saw steep reductions in case counts and death rates, Saskatchewan led the nation,” said Mowat. “That can’t happen again. The Premier needs to lay out a clear plan that Saskatchewan families can count on.”

The NDP is calling for several new measures to be put in place including wide-spread rapid testing in schools, long-term care facilities, and high-risk communities and workplaces, using the province’s $260 million contingency fund to ensure all testing, and tracing services are adequately staffed, and to transfer Extendicare’s homes to the SHA.