Province Releases Updated Guidelines for Graduations

The Government of Saskatchewan released updated public health guidelines for graduations, falling in line with the provinces reopening roadmap.

During this time, however, virtual or live-streamed events are recommended instead of in-person events. 

Drive-In Ceremonies 

Drive-in graduations must ensure the following public health measures are enforced: 

• Anyone who is sick or symptomatic must remain home. 
• Must be held in designated parking lots or staging areas (with owner consent). 
• Multiple ceremonies may be needed depending on the size of the graduating class. 
• Vehicles must be separated by at least five metres. 
• Individuals are required to remain inside or within arm's reach of their vehicles, and are not permitted to move to other vehicles (i.e. not go sit with friends). 
• No objects may be passed between vehicles. 
• Organizers must implement adequate measures to keep people from unnecessarily leaving their vehicles during the event. 
• Vehicle occupants must be limited to members from the same household. 
• Where washroom access is provided, provisions are made to ensure the facilities are fully stocked for handwashing and there is frequent cleaning and disinfection throughout the event. 
• Appropriate physical distancing is maintained at all times between people who need to leave the vehicle to access the washroom or other facilities. 
• No food and beverage service is permitted. 
• Individuals using other modes of transportation to attend the event (e.g. walking, biking, public transportation) shall maintain two metres of physical distancing and join the vehicles with people from the same household as soon as they arrive. If these individuals are not joining a vehicle, they are limited to no more than public gathering restrictions allow while observing all physical distancing protocols. 

Outdoor/Indoor Ceremonies 

• All public ceremonies must be outside and a minimum of two metres of physical distancing must be maintained between household groups. No food or beverages are permitted. 
• Outdoor graduations are limited to 30 guests (assuming two guests per graduate for a total of 45 graduates and guests), in addition to a maximum of five teachers or support staff. 
• Step One – Beginning May 30, Step One of the Saskatchewan Re-Opening Roadmap will increase public outdoor gatherings to 150. This will permit outdoor graduation ceremonies to increase to 150, including graduates and guests. Teachers and school staff required to host the event are not included in this total. 
• Step Two – In Step Two (date TBD), outdoor graduations will be limited to 150 people, including graduates and guests. Teachers and school staff required to host the event are not included in this total. 
• Indoor graduations will be limited to 150 people, including graduates and guests. Teachers and school staff required to host the event are not included in this total. 
• Step Three – Most remaining restrictions will be removed. Guidance for large events is under development. 
• During all steps of the Re-Opening Roadmap, drive-in graduations and virtual graduations are also available options. 
• Use visual cues to support physical distancing. 
• Implement one-way traffic flow to promote physical distancing (i.e. enter through one door and exit through another). 

Ceremonies must ensure: 

• Anyone who is sick or symptomatic must remain home. 
• Multiple ceremonies may be needed depending on the size of the graduating class. 
• No objects may be passed between participants. 
• Organizers must implement adequate measures to support physical distancing. 
• Where washroom access is provided, provisions are made to ensure the facilities are fully stocked for handwashing and there is frequent cleaning and disinfection throughout the event. 
• No food and beverage service is permitted. 

Virtual Ceremonies 

Virtual indoor graduations are permitted with no more than 30 graduates and no outside guests. No food or beverages are permitted. All other public health measures must be followed, including maintaining physical distancing of two metres. 

If a graduation event is held, it must comply with the requirements in the public health order. Further questions can be directed to local public health officials to ensure the event does not risk transmission of COVID-19.