Saskatchewan won't require vaccine passport to work, attend events, Moe says

Saskatchewan will not require proof of vaccinationagainst COVID-19 in order for peopleto work or attend events in the province, Premier Scott Moe says.

The province is lifting all of its remaining pandemic restrictions on July 11, and theemergency order that has prevented mass gatherings will end on that date as well, Moe announced Tuesday.

The province declared a state of emergency onMarch 18, 2020, one week after the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.

The order, which has been extended every two weekssince mid-March, gave the government broad powers to address the pandemic.

But Moe, citing privacy laws, said with the order lifting,the province won't be in a position to demand that people provide proof of immunization for jobs or to attend events.

"With respect to provincial vaccine passports, or requirements to be vaccinated to attend certain events or work in certain areas of that nature, the government of Saskatchewan is not moving in that direction," Moe said Tuesday during the province's COVID-19 update.

Privacy concerns: health authority CEO

Scott Livingstone, CEO of the Saskatchewan Health Authority, said asking somebody forproof of COVID-19 vaccination would violate the province's Health Information Protection Act.

"Even giving your health card number is personal health information. Banks are not allowed to ask for your health card number and nobody else is for a form of ID," said Livingstone. "It is personal information, and so is vaccination status."

Livingstone said the legislation states individuals are not required to provide their health card information to anyone,and others can't ask for it, unless it is related to the provision of health services.

Ron Kruzeniski, Saskatchewan's privacy commissioner, is also advising employers and organizations to speak with their lawyers before asking employees if they have received aCOVID-19 vaccine.

Federal and provincial privacy watchdogs have also raised their ownwarnings about vaccine passports.

While Saskatchewan won't require proof of vaccination, that may be required in other jurisdictions, both nationally andinternationally.

As of July 5,fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents will be able to re-enter the countrywithout having to quarantine, provided they meet certain conditions includingelectronically submitting proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.

Similarly, in Saskatchewan's neighbouring province of Manitoba, travellers with a vaccination card will be able toavoid a two-week self-isolation period after travel within Canada.

Some say the Manitoba's vaccine card will help travel and entertainment take off, while critics fear it could infringe on people's rights.

WATCH | Manitoba's vaccine passport could infringe rights, say critics:

Manitoba's vaccine passport could infringe rights, say critics

3 years ago

Duration 3:43

Manitobans will receive an immunization card two weeks after receiving both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, allowing them to travel without having to self-isolate for two weeks.