UPDATE: As of March 22, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has updated its policy to be in line with the Government of Saskatchewan's self-isolation policy. Like other Saskatchewan residents, all SHA employees, physicians, students and volunteers are required to self-isolate for 14 days following international travel. The policy outlines the dates employees can return to work after travel. The policy also states the SHA can apply for individuals to be exempt from this self-isolation. You read more about the updated policy here.
On March 20th, 2020, the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses received a memo from the Saskatchewan Health Authority with updated information and direction on international travel in line with the Chief Medical Health Officer’s public health measure.
The memo states that all those who have travelled internationally must immediately self-isolate for 14 days upon returning on March 6th or later. However, the memo also affirms that healthcare workers returning from international travel “may be exempt only if they are required to work to maintain essential health care services or provide emergency health care.”
As such, SUN has requested an urgent and immediate clarification of how “required to work to maintain essential health care services or provide emergency health care” will be interpreted and who will be affected by these decisions.
If you have travelled between March 6th and 16th, or on any subsequent date, contact your employer to determine your date of return to work. If you are being asked not to fully self-isolate, but to return to work following international travel as of March 6th or later, please contact SUN Duty Roster. We are currently in discussion with the SHA and will communicate new information with members as soon as possible.
