This page is intended to provide information to the public on cleaning, disinfection, and other mitigation measures in regard to the COVID-19 response. Public health measures for workplaces and other specific situations can be found at Saskatchewan COVID-19 Public Health Measures.
The most up-to-date COVID-19 information can be found at the Government of Saskatchewan's COVID-19 page.
General Information
- The novel coronavirus primarily spreads via respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing during close person-to-person contact. It also spreads by touching surfaces with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
- Frequent cleaning and disinfection help prevent spread of the disease.
- Clean often. Common areas should be kept clean and free from clutter.
- Commonly touched areas should be cleaned and disinfected twice daily or whenever visibly soiled.
- Commonly touched areas include light switches, doorknobs, toilets, taps, hand rails, counter tops, toys, touch screens/mobile devices, remote controls, keyboards, laundry machine control panels, and vending machines.
Food
- Based on current research, the risk of becoming ill with COVID-19 from ingesting food or contact with food packaging is very low.
- To further minimize risk, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer prior to eating, before and after grocery shopping, and after handling food packaging.
- Wash fruits and vegetables after returning home or prior to use.
- Follow social distancing directions provided by the grocery store. Keep a distance of two metres from other customers, even in the checkout line.
- Do not go shopping if you are sick or symptomatic. Make use of takeout and delivery services where possible.
- The current evidence shows no increased risk of transmission with takeout, drive-through, and meal delivery. Wherever possible limit contact with service and delivery people.
Shelters and Food Banks
- Volunteers and staff should wash hands and use hand sanitizer regularly. Access to handwashing facilities and/or hand sanitizer should be made available to patrons.
- Staff and volunteers should stay home if sick. Encourage shelter patrons to report symptoms and assist them in self-isolation where possible.
- Keep a distance of two metres between sleeping mats or cots with "head-to-foot" placement.
- At meal sitting maintain two metres distance between patrons. Have hand hygiene facilities available (hand sanitizer and/or hand sink). Staff may consider dispensing hand sanitizer to patrons to reduce contact with common touch container and ensure security of supply.
- If your shelter facility lacks facilities to allow patrons to self-isolate, work with other agencies or alternate locations to find capacity.
- Disinfect surfaces like railings, doorknobs, tables, baskets, etc. on a regular basis.
- Whenever possible, use non-porous plastic tables that can be easily disinfected.
- Consider increasing practicality of social distancing by staggering entry or only allowing small groups of people in at a time. Cancel group gatherings and activities.
- Continue routine precautions and hand hygiene when accepting food and other donations from private homes as well as public facilities.
Hotels and Public Accommodation
- Increase cleaning and disinfection of all common areas and surfaces such as door knobs/handles, check-in counter tops, elevator buttons, light switches, vending machines, and washrooms. Frequently touched surfaces in guest rooms must also be disinfected using a disinfectant that has a Drug Identification Number (DIN).
- Complimentary drinks and snacks should be removed from the lobby and other areas. Buffets and self-serve options should not be offered. Items may be dispensed to public by staff following proper hand hygiene requirements.
- It is recommended that persons requiring self-isolation do so in their homes. If a hotel or public accommodation room is being used for isolation, the individual should not leave the room once checked in. Guests should review self-isolation procedures.
- Regular housekeeping services will not be provided to rooms where individuals are isolating. Staff and visitors should leave linens, toiletries, cleaning supplies, essential items, and meals outside the door.
- Guests who are in isolation should not enter common areas of the hotel.
- After guests have left an isolation room, designated staff should thoroughly clean and disinfect potentially contaminated surfaces with an approved disinfectant, and launder all cloth items.
Transportation
- Use public transportation, taxi, and rideshare when necessary. Avoid unnecessary trips to reduce potential spread.
- Practice social distancing. Stay two metres away from fellow passengers on buses and larger transport vehicles. Sit in the back seat of a taxi or ride share.
- Use alternative payment methods such as credit cards to limit cash handling.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- If you have symptoms, contact HealthLine 811 prior to taking public transportation, taxis or ride shares. Follow advice provided.
Private household
- Clothing and fabric items should be laundered and dried on the highest temperature setting possible. Ensure items are thoroughly dried.
- If someone in your household becomes ill, keep them in a dedicated room, limit contact to what is needed for caregiving, clean and disinfect often, and wash hands when leaving the room.
- There is no evidence, at this time, that companion animals can spread COVID-19 to humans. However, it may be possible for you to spread COVID-19 to your pets if you become sick.
- Have a plan for someone to care for your pets if you become ill.
- If receiving mail and packages, including food or grocery delivery, practice good hand hygiene after handling items and refrain from touching your face.
Apartment Buildings and Group Living
- Owners, operators, caretakers, and landlords should arrange for increased cleaning and disinfection in all common areas. Commonly touched areas include door handles, elevator buttons, chairs, railings, laundry machines, counters, and intercoms.
- Residents should refrain from gathering in non-essential shared spaces including gyms, common rooms, activity rooms, patios/decks, cafes, lunchrooms, hallways, and dining halls.
- Laundry rooms, mailrooms, bike storage rooms, and parking garages can still be used.
- Shared washrooms should be kept well stocked with soap and water for hand washing and frequently cleaned and disinfected.
- Standing group activities such as morning coffees, games nights, etc. should be discontinued.