The Saskatchewan government announced on Wednesday, Nov. 25 new measures which come into effect on Friday, Nov. 27, in an effort to see a decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases across the province. These measures are in addition to existing health measures, and will remain in effect until Dec. 17, 2020, when they will be reviewed by the provincial chief medical health officer. 

 

Your safety is our priority. We are working to ensure you and your family are informed, and therefore, know how to act in the safest manner possible in our properties across Saskatchewan. This does not only include information to help you remain safe, but also ways in which you can get the financial help you need during this difficult time. 

 

 

How do the restrictions impact you? 

 

Effective Friday, Nov. 27 the following new restrictions are placed upon Saskatchewan province-wide, and therefore must be adhered to, and followed in and around our properties, where applicable, to ensure the safety of your neighbours. 

 

All restaurants and licensed establishments (bars, taverns, nightclubs)   

  • Limited to seat four at a single table 
  • If there are impermeable barriers between the tables, tables must be placed two metres apart.  If there are no impermeable barriers between tables, there must be a three-metre distance between all tables.   
  • Restaurants and licensed establishments must maintain guest/reservation information on all patrons.   

 

Performance and Gaming Venues 

  • Capacity will be restricted to 30 people at all casinos, bingo halls, arenas, live theatres, movie theatres, performing arts venues and any other facilities that are currently supporting a capacity of 150 people.  
  • Where any of these facilities offer food or beverage service, they must keep the activity separate (i.e. cordoned off) from the food and beverage service.  No food or drink may be in the activity area.   

 

Indoor Public Event Gatherings 

  • Indoor public banquets, conferences, wedding and funeral receptions in public venues will be limited to 30 people.  Food or beverages may not be present or served.   

 

Sport, Fitness and Dance 

  • All team/group sports, activities, games, competitions, recitals, practices, etc. are suspended, including amateur and recreational leagues for all age groups. Examples include hockey, curling, racquet sports, cheerleading, dance practices in group setting, etc.  
  • Athletes and dancers 18 years of age and under may continue practicing, conditioning and skills training in groups of eight or fewer, abiding by the required mask use and at least three metres of physical distancing between participants at all times.   
  • Individual groups of eight may not share a training/rehearsal surface or space at the same time. 
  • Coaches /trainers are not included in the training group numbers as long as they are masked and maintain a minimum physical distance of three metres. 
  • Fitness activities and group fitness classes in groups of eight or fewer continues to be permitted, for all ages.  Mask use and at least three metres of physical distancing between participants must be maintained. 

 

Places of Worship 

  • All places of worship must reduce capacity to 30 people, including wedding, funeral, and baptismal services.  No food or drink may be present or served.   

 

Mandatory Masking Expanded 

  • Mandatory, non-medical mask use will be required during all indoor fitness activities, with aquatic activities the only exception. 

 

Malls and Retail 

  • Retail businesses must enhance the expectation of mask use and mitigation measures (reduced traffic, directional flow signage, hand sanitizer, etc.) through signage and staff training.   
  • Large retail locations are required to limit customer access to 50 per cent capacity or four square metres of space per person, whichever is less. 

 

 

These restrictions are in addition to the existing Health Canada public health measures and any previous Saskatchewan Public Health orders, including those which came into effect on Nov. 19. Those include: 

  • Mandatory masking province-wide in indoor public spaces 
  • Indoor gatherings in private homes limited to 5 people 
  • Outdoor gatherings limited to maximum 30 people (physically distanced) 
  • Visits to long-term care and personal care homes suspended except for compassionate reasons 
  • No alcohol sales after 10 pm in licensed establishments 
  • Entertainment transportation no longer permitted 

 

Please have comfort in knowing we continue increased cleaning and sanitization of high-touch points in all our Avenue Living Communities properties across Canada. This includes communal door handles, intercom buttons, elevator buttons, and handrails. 

 

We continue to stress and encourage the importance of masks in indoor settings where physical distancing is not possible. We all need to play our part to remain safe. Therefore, we request the use of masks when in common areas and shared spaces within your properties, and mandate that they be worn in all Avenue Living offices. Please see "How to Stay Safe in an Apartment Building During the COVID-19 Pandemic" for more information on staying safe in your property.  

 

 

What help is there available for you? 

 

This is indeed a challenging time for everyone. Please consider prioritizing remote options where available. To further ensure your safety, we continue to provide digital lease renewals and remote online payment options. Please contact your Leasing Specialist for details on how to use these non-contact options. 

 

Residents with questions about their lease or payment concerns, can contact our Prairie Relief Team during regular operating hours. This team is dedicated to help you navigate a difficult financial time. We are working with each and every one of you to reduce the stress of these trying times. 

 

For residents receiving income on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, we also offer flexible payment terms to suit your income schedule. Please contact our Prairie Relief Team if this adjustment would assist you in any way. 

 

Contact our Prairie Relief Team by: 

 

 

Where can I get financial assistance? 

 

If your workplace has been affected by COVID-19 there is help available. While CERB ended on Oct. 3, you may be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) under new flexible and accessible temporary changes to the program. Alternatively, you may be eligible for one of the new recovery benefits retroactive Sept. 27, 2020, available until Sept. 25, 2021. 

 

EI provides a taxable benefit of $500 a week, or $300 a week for extended parental benefits. EI claimants are eligible for at least 26 weeks. 

 

The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) provides $500 a week up to 26 weeks for workers who have stopped working, are self-employed due to COVID-19, or had their income reduced by at least 50 per cent and are not eligible for EI. 

 

The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) provides $500 a week up to a maximum of two weeks for workers who are unable to work at lease 50 per cent of the week because they contracted COVID-19; self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19; or have underlying conditions that would make them susceptible to COVID-19. 

 

The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) provides $500 a week for up to 26 weeks per household to eligible workers unable to work for at least 50 per cent of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or a family member because schools, day-cares or facilities are closed due to COVID-19. 

 

Please visit the applicable pages via the Government of Canada to learn more information about each of these benefits. 

 

 

We hope this information can prove useful to you. We are in this together, and always here to help should there be anything you need. You can visit our COVID-19 page for further details on how we're ensuring safety in our offices and properties. We need to remain vigilant. Do you part, respect your environment, and respect your neighbours. Stay safe, Saskatchewan. 

 

by Avenue Living Communities