The province is putting a pause on expanding capacity at worship services in and around Regina to slow the transmission of COVID-19.
Premier Scott Moe cited community transmission of variants of concern as the reason behind the pause.
“While provincewide case numbers and hospitalization numbers are much lower than they were just a couple of months ago, we are seeing an increase in the number of cases and in particular, the number of variant cases right here in our capital city of Regina,” Moe said during a briefing Tuesday.
“On the recommendation of Dr. (Saqib) Shahab and his team, all of the current public health orders which were set to expire on March 19 have been extended out to April 5.”
Moe added that does not include places of worship in other parts of the province.
The Saskatchewan government announced last week that worship services can expand on March 19 to 30 per cent of capacity or 150 people, whichever is less.
“In Regina and area, capacity will remain at the current capacity level, which is 30,” Moe said.
As of Tuesday, 136 variants were confirmed in Saskatchewan: 130 B1.1.1.7 (first identified in the U.K.) and six B1.351 (first identified in South Africa). Of those, 122 — 90 per cent — were in the Regina zone.
The province said there are also 210 presumptive variant of concern cases — 186 of those in Regina.
Regina, along with adjacent communities, will remain at a maximum of 30 people for worship services, with required physical distancing and masking.
The affected communities are: Belle Plaine, Pense, Grand Coulee, Lumsden Beach, Regina Beach, Craven, Lumsden, Edenwold, Pilot Butte, White City, Balgonie, Kronau, Davin, Gray and Riceton.
Health officials said it will remain in effect until at least April 5.
Regina and area residents — especially those over 50 — are being asked by health officials to reconsider expanding their household bubbles at this time.
Households were allowed to expanded their bubble to include two to three households up to 10 people after a nearly three-month ban on household visits.
Health officials are also asking anyone who lives or works in Regina or is planning to travel to the region to abide by all public health measures to avoid further restrictions.
This includes wearing a mask in all public places, proper physical distancing and reducing activities outside of the home.