COVID-19: Saskatoon investigates gathering size limits because province won’t
Global News
“We have the worst situation and zero guidance,” Zach Jeffries said. He voted to investigate whether the city can implement its own gathering size limits.
Saskatoon city councillors want to know if they can implement gathering size limits to stop the spread of COVID-19 — because the Saskatchewan government won’t.
“This is unprecedented. It is by far much better for the provincial government to implement gathering sizes,” Mayor Charlie Clark said.
“The fact that we’re the only jurisdiction that doesn’t have gathering size restrictions — even Alberta does — it doesn’t make sense to me.”
Clark proposed a motion, during Monday’s governance and priorities committee meeting, that charges the city administration to investigate if and how the city can impose gathering size restrictions.
It passed, with seven votes in favour and four against.
Clark had previously written to Saskatchewan health minister Paul Merriman on Oct. 1 asking for a public health order to limit gathering sizes. On Oct. 7, the city received the reply.
“The province has indicated that they will not be implementing (gathering size restrictions) at this time,” Pamela Goulden-McLeod, the city’s director of emergency operations, stated.
She then added “the (city’s COVID-19 response) framework and medical health officers indicate there is still a requirement for gathering restrictions in Saskatoon.”