The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) announced that masking would no longer be required for patients, residents, staff, or visitors at its facilities.

Masking will now be optional in all SHA facilities, including administrative offices, hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities.

The province’s Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, supports the changes.

As per SHA infection control policies, personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include masks, gowns or gloves, will still be required for staff and visitors during outbreaks or in specific high-risk clinical areas.

For non-SHA facilities or privately-run physician’s offices and clinics, the SHA said they set their own policies, which may include requiring masking onsite.

The SHA also announced that as the need for proof of vaccination has declined considerably, eHealth Saskatchewan is decommissioning the SK Vax Wallet mobile device application.

Beginning April 17, the app will no longer accept updates. Effective April 30, the app will no longer be available in app stores.

The SHA said that masks would be available to those wishing to wear a mask.

The health authorities’ removal of mask requirements comes as the province’s CRISP report says that the province has reported 137 deaths from COVID-19 from January 1 to March 25.