Protecting public health and providing supports in response to COVID-19 remains the focus of the Government of Saskatchewan. Today, we have reason for optimism. Over 90,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Saskatchewan and our province is set to receive approximately 112,000 doses this month. We expect vaccine deliveries to pick up even more in April and so, in the meantime, I ask that we all continue to be patient.
Health care staff are working tirelessly to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are ready to be delivered to Saskatchewan people as soon as we receive them, and I have full confidence in their ability to do so. When the COVID-19 vaccine is made available to you, I ask that you strongly consider taking it. It is the best way to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safe – and will help us return to normal. So, until then, please continue to follow public health guidelines that are in place. Wash your hands, wear a mask, practice physical distancing, and limit your close contacts. There is a light at the end of this tunnel.
As Saskatchewan leads the nation in vaccinating residents as fast as possible, we are optimistic our cases and hospitalizations will keep declining. I am hopeful that we will continue to see our COVID-19 situation improve in the days and weeks to come.
If you have adapted your business to operate during the pandemic, spent money training staff, or if you have had to close or scale back due to an emergency order, you may be eligible for COVID-19 support from the province, but deadlines are approaching soon.
The Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment, Strong Recovery Adaptation Rebate, the Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy, and the Saskatchewan Tourism Sector Support Program are all in place to support businesses. If you have questions or require assistance accessing these programs, please contact my office.
Crop Insurance coverage will reach a record level this year due to higher commodity prices and increased yield coverage. March 31 is the deadline to select insured crops and coverage levels or make additional changes to crop insurance contracts. For more information about the 2021 insurance options, call 1-888-935-0000 or visit www.scic.ca.
SGI is offering a one-time rebate to all registered vehicle owners this spring. Due to very strong investment returns and, to a smaller degree, fewer collision claims during the pandemic, the Saskatchewan Auto Fund Rate Stabilization Reserve is in a very strong financial position.
Rebate cheques will be mailed to customers who have paid Auto Fund premiums in the past three years and are residents of Saskatchewan. You can verify your mailing address at www.MySGI.ca or by contacting your local motor license issuer.
The temperature trend following the most recent cold snap is encouraging to those looking forward to warmer days and more time spent outdoors.
Reservations for the 2021 camping season in Saskatchewan Provincial Parks are set to begin April 12 for seasonal campsites and April 14-23 for nightly and group campsites.
You can begin reserving sites at 7 a.m. each day, and there is no longer a need to login early. You can visit www.saskparks.com to learn more about this year’s camping season and reservation system.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
