No new public health restrictions will be coming to Moose Jaw at this time.

That's the latest news from Premier Scott Moe and the Saskatchewan Health Authority made public at a press conference yesterday, Mar. 30. Nevertheless, the SHA is still voicing its concerns over the rising COVID-19 variant case numbers in Moose Jaw.

Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab had this to say:

"In Moose Jaw, we can see 95 active cases with 10 new cases today. For a population only a quarter of the size of Regina, this is very concerning. Not at the level of Regina, but there are active discussions about whether further public health orders are required for Moose Jaw...I think Moose Jaw is on red alert and this has to be watched very closely."

Residents of the city are being called on to be extra diligent in following health orders and to not trip up when the finish line is so close.

"Certainly I support the Mayor of Moose Jaw who has said, 'Behave as if you were in Regina,'" Shahab went on to say. "So minimize your contacts and be very cautious with any household bubbles and indoor gatherings."

Meanwhile, Opposition health critic Vicki Mowat released a written statement yesterday criticizing the government's response. Mowat called on the Premier to take action and extend the public health orders in Regina to Moose Jaw.

"You only need to look down the road to Regina to see the cost of inaction," wrote Mowat. "Schools in Moose Jaw have moved to remote learning, but the government is keeping bars and restaurants open. It doesn’t make any more sense in Moose Jaw than it did in Regina."

Premier Scott Moe has said that he will avoid a lockdown at all costs and is instead calling on residents to go above and beyond in following safety precautions.

"We have faith in the people of this province," commented Moe at yesterday's press conference. "The last thing that we would choose would be to enact restrictions that impact people's lives and livelihoods. Restrictions are not the first tool and I don't believe that they should be. People do have a personal responsibility to look at their own situation and to make their decision accordingly, particularly in Moose Jaw."

Moe went on to say that Moose Jaw's case numbers are not yet at where Regina's are and that for now, he is confident in the local healthcare system.

"These decisions are made in large part to ensure that we can continue to preserve the capacity of our healthcare system. Province-wide, our healthcare system is managing."

Yesterday, the province announced that it would be extending the provincial public health orders until April 12, upon which they will be reviewed.