News Releases

With the Government of Saskatchewan’s message that the Public Health Orders will soon be lifted, the City is taking steps to ensure the safety of its staff and the public who are accessing City services. The recommendations are outlined in a report for Special Meeting of City Council tomorrow, February 8.

“The lifting of the Public Health Orders does not mean there is no longer a risk of COVID-19 in Saskatoon, but it shifts the responsibility for management of this risk from the Provincial Government to individuals, businesses, organizations, and municipalities,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Management Organization. 

Once the Provincial Public Health Orders are lifted, the City will return to following Occupational Health and Safety and business continuity processes in managing the response to COVID-19 in our community.

The City will also continue to seek guidance from the Saskatchewan Health Authority local Medical Health Officers and to monitor the Saskatchewan Health Authority assessed risk of epidemic transmission. The assessed risk of epidemic transmission is currently indicating there is a “high likelihood that COVID transmission is not controlled” in the Saskatoon region. This is the highest level of risk of transmission.

The report outlines recommendations for requirements related to the Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or Negative Test and masking in civic facilities and when travelling on Saskatoon Transit and would take effect when the Government of Saskatchewan rescinds the corresponding Public Health Orders.

Recommendations

1. That City Council remove Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or Negative Test Requirements for City of Saskatoon facilities.
2. That City Council continue the requirement that all persons accessing all City facilities, not including Saskatoon Transit, wear a face mask. For Saskatoon Transit, masks would be recommended but not required.

Measures that may remain in place include enhanced cleaning, physical distancing, and the requirement not to enter City owned facilities if an individual has symptoms of COVID-19.

“The City will continue its focus on educating and informing the public rather than enforcing the use of face masks within City owned facilities and services,” Goulden-McLeod says.

The City Administration also recommends that a monthly report goes to Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) starting in March 2022, with a written COVID update that includes a recommendation on whether to continue the requirement of masking for all persons accessing all City facilities.

It is important to note that this requirement does not apply to any public members directly accessing the Saskatoon Public Library locations located within Leisure Centres. Libraries do not require the public to show proof of vaccination or negative test to enter their facilities under the current Public Health Order.

For the latest updates, visit saskatoon.ca/covid-19. 

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

AVE H N ROAD CLOSED FROM 30TH ST W TO 31ST ST W
(Sanitary manhole repair)
Start: February 8, 8:00 a.m. End: February 8, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT ATTRIDGE DR
(Streetlight pole replacement)
Start: February 8, 1:00 p.m. End: February 8, 3:00 p.m.
 

OVERNIGHT

IDYLWYLD DR NB LANES CLOSED FROM RUTH ST TO 20TH ST
(Snow removal)
Start: February 7, 10:00 p.m. End: February 8, 5:00 a.m.
 

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

CUMBERLAND AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM CASCADE ST TO BUTE ST
(Hydrant replacement)
Start: February 7, 8:00 a.m. End: February 7, 5:00 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CENTRAL AVE TO CIRCLE DR E
(Transmission line install)
Start: February 7, 9:30 a.m. End: February 7, 2:30 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM FORESTRY FARM PARK DR TO REVER RD
(Equipment offloading)
Start: February 7, 10:00 a.m. End: February 7, 12:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO BEEF RESEARCH RD
(Material unload)
Start: February 7, 12:00 p.m. End: February 7, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

More than 70% of the Priority 1 street snow piles have already been hauled away, including Idylwyld Drive, College Drive, 8th Street and 22nd Street. Due to the unusual delay in snow pile removal, contractors are being hired to help haul away more snow beginning next week.

“Snow stored in the medians of Priority 1 streets must be removed and hauled away first because they present the highest risk to public safety if there is no place for new snow to be stored,” says Director of Roadways, Fleet & Support Goran Saric. “With all the extra snow this year, we’re adding contractor assistance to the job so we can get to the next priority streets quickly.”

Snow removal on Priority 2 streets in all areas of the city will begin over the next couple of weeks. Watch for “No Parking” signs posted on snow piles with the scheduled date for removal, and encourage your neighbours to move their vehicles off the street to help the work go smoothly.

“I can empathize with residents who are frustrated with the size and height of these snow piles,” says Saric. “Our roadways staff are doing their best and giving their all this winter to get that snow out of the way to improve visibility and safety.”

Snow piles along the busiest streets in Saskatoon, called priority streets, remain after a snowfall so the network can be graded quickly. Removing them requires different equipment and is best done at night when traffic and pedestrian activity is lighter for the safety of workers and the public.

The snow piles are unusually large this year because of the above average number of snowfalls and frequency. Each time it snows, snow removal is halted as City staff attend to the priority streets to clean up.

You can find more answers to frequently asked questions about snow removal and priority street grading at saskatoon.ca/snow.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

20TH ST W ROAD CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR S TO AVE B S
(Sanitary connection repair)
Start: February 6, 7:00 a.m. End: February 6, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

No projects are scheduled to start on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.